Browns RB Trent Richardson misses practice with sore left knee, might be sidelined Friday vs. Lions

Browns running back Trent Richardson sat out practice this afternoon with a sore left knee, and he might not play in the preseason opener Friday night against the host Detroit Lions, coach Pat Shurmur said.

Richardson had arthroscopic knee surgery Feb. 3 to have torn meniscus cartilage repaired. He did not work out at the NFL Scouting Combine later that month.

“We’re gonna evaluate him further here, and there’s a chance he won’t play Friday,” Shurmur said. … “I’m always concerned about injuries, but I think at this point we’ll just find out what it is. He’s been practicing well, and he’s just a little bit sore right now, so we’ll just see where he is.”

Richardson worked out on an exercise bike at the start of practice. He wore a black rubber sleeve on his left leg and watched most of practice from the field.

As practice ended, Richardson walked into the team’s field house with a trainer and declined to stop and be interviewed. When asked if he could talk today, Richardson said, “No, I have to go in.”

If Richardson doesn’t play against the Lions, Montario Hardesty will be expected to start. Hardesty is listed as the No. 2 running back on the Browns’ depth chart.