Second-year safety Sean Richardson was put on the physically unable to perform list when the Green Bay Packers opened training camp. When he comes off it his football career might be over.
Richardson suffered a neck injury in November. He had cervical fusion surgery in January. That’s the same operation that Nick Collins had and the Packers ended up releasing him because they weren’t comfortable putting him on the football field.
Richardson could be looking at the same fate.
“He’s getting close. He’s going through some studies,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said when asked about Richardson’s status after practice Friday. “There were some tests that need to be done here in the last couple of days. We’re gathering information and hopefully we’re getting close to a decision with Sean.”
Richardson made the roster as an undrafted free agent last season. He ended up being a core special teams contributor and played 16 snaps on defense.
If there’s any hope for Richardson it’s this. His injury wasn’t as severe as Collins’ and his surgery was performed by the same doctor who fixed Peyton Manning’s messed up neck.
For now, it’s the waiting game.
“I have no choice. It’s (the doctors’ and the Packers’) decision,” he said. “If I’m not cleared, then we’ll go onto the next step in life. I’m not looking at it that way but you have to look at it from both perspectives. Hopefully I can get back out there.”