J.R. Richardson injury update (3/25/13)

[PonyPride]

It has been a long road back, but CB J.R. Richardson was on the field with his teammates when the Mustangs opened spring workouts Monday. His 2012 season ended before it started when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. Then, when working out earlier this semester in order to get ready for spring workouts, he suffered a severe ankle sprain.

The knee, Richardson said Monday, does not bother him at all, although he wore a brace on it Monday as a precaution and said he will wear it throughout spring drills. The ankle, he said, remains painful, but will not keep him off the practice field.

"I kind of felt alienated from my body," he said. "It's been months since I have been able to practice, and it felt good just to be out there, to be doing that backpedaling."

The more severe injury the ACL he tore last year, but Richardson said that injury is nothing more than an afterthought.

"I don't even think about the knee," he said. "Pain isn't holding me back at all. I did everything with the 'team' (11-on-11) part of practice. Maybe in the seven-on-seven part, I didn't do as many reps with the starters, but I'm doing everything. The brace feels a little awkward - I know it's there - but it's not stopping me from doing anything."

Richardson said that in addition to competing for a starting role in the secondary, he hopes to remain a part of the return game on special teams, as well.

"I hope so," he said. "(Special teams) Coach (Frank) Gansz told me to get ready to work there, too, and I should. Until I get my spot on defense, I want to help the team in every way I can."

With senior-to-be CB Kenneth Acker is spending the spring running as a wide receiver, Richardson spent the first day of practice working with the first-team defense, across from CB Chris Parks.

[Casey]

This is good news, and vital news. We need J.R. back, and healthy. I'm cautiously optimistic about the secondary, but that's only if he and Horace Richardson are healthy, and if some of the other young guys (Randolph, Justice, Montes, Law) step up and perform.