Trent Richardson's campaign with the Oakland Raiders did not exactly get off to the start he was aiming for. The running back is on what is likely his last chance in the league after failed stints with the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts. Head coach Jack Del Rio signed Richardson in hopes that one last change in scenery was what the running back needed to re-find that college success he had at Alabama. However, after failing the conditioning test, is Richardson on thin ice?
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Richardson has landed on the non-football injury list after he potentially failed the conditioning test or as an injury the Raiders are not disclosing. Whatever the reason may be, Richardson's bounce back has hit a snag, one he likely cannot afford. Vic Tafur of the Chronicle reported earlier in the week that while the coaching staff is acting positive towards Richardson and his ability to be an impact player, there were whispers around the league that things actually were not going as well as planned.
Richardson is expected to compete for the starting job in 2015. He will battle Latavius Murray who is returning from last season and the newly acquire Roy Helu who has earned some positive reviews from the coaching staff. The pressure is on Richardson as Murray appears to be the favorite heading into the season. He told reporters that he wants as big of a role as he can get on the team.
Outside of the battle at the running back position, the Raiders have a few camp competitions take place. Mychal Rivera is being challenged for the starting tight end job as Clive Walford begins to make an impression with Derek Carr. According to ESPN.com, the rookie tight end out of Miami is forming a quick connection with the quarterback that could work in his favor when it comes time to finalize the depth chart.
The wide receiver position also has some competition. Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree are penciled in as the top two players while Rod Streater, Andre Holmes and Brice Butler look to work in. According to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, the most likely candidate to get cut out of Raiders camp is Richardson over any other of these options. Landing on the non-football injury list certainly proves that could be true.
