INDIANAPOLIS -- Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson started in Sunday's 17-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Browns coach Pat Shurmur saw enough in the first 30 minutes that he sat the star rookie for the second half because of his rib injury.
"We just kind of didn't feel like he could play as effective as he'd been," Shurmur said. "He wanted to play."
Richardson had eight carries for 8 yards and two receptions for 11 yards in the first half. He touched the ball on the first three Cleveland snaps. Richardson said he could continue and didn't ask to come out, but he said Shurmur made the right decision.
"The injury was pretty bad, I guess it limited me a lot," Richardson said. "It hurt me inside just not being out there. ... I didn't want to come out.
"Pat knows what's best. He made his decision. I think he made a great decision. It's something I've got to deal with it."
Richardson obviously was disappointed with not being able to play and went back and forth on Shurmur's decision. He initially called it "great," but he questioned it later.
"I felt like I was doing better than what I heard I was doing," Richardson said. "If you look at me, I guess I was not running hard like I used to. ... It was their decision. In my head and how I feel, I feel like I'm always ready to play, no matter what.
"I didn't call that shot. They just told me to stay ready and keep my legs warm."
Richardson was asked plainly if it was the right decision.
"That's something you've got to ask Pat," Richardson said. "I feel like I should have been in the game, but that's any athlete."
He then added, "Coach made a smart decision."
Richardson said the injury is "much bigger" than what people think it is. There's not a lot of pain, but "I'm not myself out there right now." One thing Richardson won't do: take time off to heal.
Rib injuries always are worse than they seem. It's aggravated any time you move your core. There's really not much treatment besides rest. Richardson didn't sound thrilled about that option.
The Browns were held to 55 rushing yards on 17 carries one week after the Colts gave up 252 yards to the New York Jets.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
