Browns coach Rob Chudzinski has ruled out running back Trent Richardson (shin), T.J. Ward (hamstring) and other key players for Thursday night's preseason opener against the Rams, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Also among those scratched were right guard Shawn Lauvao (ankle), rookie cornerback Leon McFadden (groin) and running back Montario Hardesty (hamstring tendon). He said Richardson and Ward would both be playing if the game counted. Richardson vowed to play in all four preseason games, but the coaches are holding him out as a precautionary measure. "It's the preseason,'' said Chudzinski. "We've have a plan for that and we're making sure he gets reps as needed out here in practice and we build him to be ready for the beginning of the season.'' Source: The Redzone
