Richardson won’t play for Browns tonight

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The Browns are playing it safe with Trent Richardson.

Cleveland’s star running back will not play in the club’s exhibition opener tonight against the St. Louis Rams as he continues to recover from an injured right shin. Richardson was accidentally kicked in the shin — the same one he hurt during spring practice — last week, and the Browns won’t risk him hurting it further.

“We’re going to be smart,” coach Rob Chudzinski said following Wednesday’s practice, which was moved indoors because of rain.

Chudzinski said Richardson could have played if it was a regular-season game, but the Browns are being careful with the former first-round pick, who has a history with injuries and played most of last season with two broken ribs.

Chudzinski said he is not concerned about Richardson’s durability.

“It’s the preseason, we have a plan of working him and making sure that he gets reps as needed out here in practice and we build him to be ready for the beginning of the season,” Chudzinski said.

Chudzinski said Dion Lewis will start in Richardson’s spot. Also, starting strong safety T.J. Ward (hamstring) and starting guard Shawn Lauvao (ankle) will also sit out against the Rams.

The Browns plan to play their starters for about one quarter, meaning quarterback Brandon Weeden will only have a few series to impress Cleveland’s coaching staff and maybe silence some critics who don’t think he’s Cleveland’s long-term answer at QB.

Weeden has showed progress during training camp, and seems more comfortable with the new offense.

His goals against the Rams are pretty simple.

“Just string together consecutive good plays, string together couple good drives, just get the feel of the game,” he said. “It’s a little different than practice, obviously there’s going to be some emotions, there’s going to be a lot more adrenaline and stuff like that.”

On defense, the Browns will get their first chance to unleash an aggressive scheme that has been installed by new coordinator Ray Horton.

NOTES

Rookie CB Leon McFadden (groin) and RB Montario Hardesty (hamstring) will also sit out the preseason opener. McFadden missed his first practice on Wednesday. ... Johnson Bademosi will start for Ward and Jason Pinkston will replace Lauvao at right guard. ... The Browns will honor Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown at their nationally televised Oct. 3 game against Buffalo. The team did not provide any specifics about the tribute but said “the event figures to be among the most singular memories in the team’s rich timeline.”