Trent Richardson and Reggie Wayne entered the 2014 season with big roles for the Indianapolis Colts. By the season's end those roles were dismissed.
Now their statuses are in doubt.
The Colts suspended Richardson for two games at the end of the season. The former first-round pick finished the season on the bench behind the likes of Dan Herron and Zurlon Tipton.
General manager Ryan Grigson provided no specifics Thursday from the NFL Scouting Combine on whether or not Richardson was in the team's plans for 2015.
"This time of year, anytime of the year, it's a fluid process," he said. "You've probably noticed we've been making cuts. We've been adding to the 90-man roster. There's lot of room ... we're continually making those decisions. We'll make more decisions after who we see this week at the combine and those developing free agencies ... have those targets, have those meetings and see which ones are actually viable to get."
Coach Chuck Pagano later echoed Grigson's "fluid" comment when discussing the running back position.
As for Wayne, the Colts don't yet know if the 36-year-old plans to play a 15th season.
"We still have to know if he wants to play," Pagano said. "There are certain guys we're still waiting to see if they still want to play this game or not. There are a lot of things up in the air at this point. But Reggie is an exceptional player...everyone in this room knows what he means to this franchise and what he means to this organization."
Wayne's productivity fell off precipitously after he suffered an elbow injury. Whether the six-time Pro Bowler decides to return after getting passed by younger players remains to be seen.
Some other notes from Grigson and Pagano:
- Grigson said he knows Robert Mathis is doing well after suffering an Achilles injury last year. However, he added that the team is at the mercy of the doctor as far as his availability for next season.
- Grigson said the Coltsalerted the NFL to the deflated balls before facing the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Pagano said it was "ludicrous" to think that the Colts deflated one of the Patriots' footballs on their own sideline.
- Pagano says he expects wide receiver Donte Moncrief to have a big season next year. Fantasy football draftniks rejoice.
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