The Cleveland Browns need rookie running back Trent Richardson on the field Sunday if they hope to move the ball against the San Diego Chargers' second-ranked run defense, which is allowing just 71.2 yards per game.
Richardson is coming off a nagging rib injury that rendered him ineffective against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. He was limited in Thursday's practice after suiting up for Wednesday's walk-through.
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"Trent had a good day of practice yesterday," Browns coach Pat Shurmur told The Plain Dealer on Thursday. "He did a lot of work."
Richardson told the newspaper he hasn't been 100 percent healthy during his rookie campaign, but "other than last week, it hasn't affected me at all," he said.
San Diego has held four of six opponents to under 100 rushing yards. The Oakland Raiders (45 yards), Tennessee Titans (38), New Orleans Saints (53) and Denver Broncos (57) failed to run against the Chargers, but that also has something to do with San Diego's 25th-ranked passing defense.
"It's not in my mindset to sit down," Richardson said. "I'm going to do what I can do."
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
