Sean

Richardson

Richardson, a 2012 UDFA, has started zero career games and been mere depth for the Packers for the last three seasons. But the Packers like to keep their own (and value his sizable special teams contributions), and they’ve blocked the Raiders from signing a guy they clearly wanted. So Richardson is back in Green Bay as a backup to Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix once again. Micah Hyde is also in the picture as the No. 3 safety.

It’s a massive chunk of change for a 25-year-old safety with zero starting experience and a severe back injury to his name. Richardson played just 135 snaps on defense for the Packers last season. Oakland is offering him more than many established starters receive. The Raiders have the cap space — and then some — but they’d be setting a bad precedent for themselves by tossing that kind of money at a player of Richardson’s ilk.

Richardson was listed as questionable on the Week 13 injury report. The undrafted rookie free agent out of Vanderbilt amassed four tackles in five games this season.

An undrafted free agent out of Vanderbilt last year, Richardson had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck in January. He says he’s crossed three major hurdles, but he has two more tests to pass with the doctors. It’s worth mentioning that Packers team docs wouldn’t clear S Nick Collins after a similar procedure in 2011. Richardson expects to be back “soon.”

Undrafted out of Vanderbilt, Richardson made the team out of training camp thanks to strong special teams play. He hopes to be fully recovered for the start of this year’s camp in late July.

Richardson recently underwent surgery to repair a herniated cervical disc, but it bears mentioning the team’s doctors wouldn’t clear S Nick Collins after he had a similar procedure. Richardson missed the last five games of last season with the injury after making the team out of training camp. He’ll likely battle S Jerron McMillian for reps in camp this summer.

One of the three will likely be the starter next to Morgan Burnett in 2013. After Charles Woodson was injured last season, Jennings stepped into the lineup and started ten games, racking up 52 tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception. Richardson spent much of the year on injured reserve with a neck injury, and McMillian was the No. 3 safety for most of the season.

We haven’t had an update on Richardson since October, when it was revealed that he could continue his playing career after undergoing fusion surgery on his neck late last season. Richardson has appeared in the past two games, playing 22 snaps. The Packers are looking for a safety to play next to Morgan Burnett. M.D. Jennings and Chris Banjo have been liabilities on the back end.

Worthy has been sidelined since tearing his ACL in Week 17 last season. He’ll likely be used in nickel packages when healthy enough to return. Richardson has received full medical clearance after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc in January and is expected to contribute immediately on special teams.

S Sean Richardson, who is also on reserve/PUP with a neck injury, is practicing for the first time Wednesday, as well. Worthy tore his ACL in Week 17 last season and has vowed to play at some point this season. The Packers need to make a decision whether to send Worthy to injured reserve or activate him by next week.