CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Browns are playing it safe with Trent Richardson.
Cleveland's star running back will not play in the club's exhibition opener on Thursday night against the St. Louis Rams as he continues to recover from an injured right shin. Richardson was accidentally kicked in the shin -- the same one he hurt during spring practice -- last week, and the Browns won't risk him hurting it further.
"We're going to be smart," coach Rob Chudzinski said following Wednesday's practice, which was moved indoors because of heavy rain.
Chudzinski said Richardson could have played if it was a regular-season game, but the Browns are being careful with the former first-round pick, who has had a history with injuries and played most of last season with two broken ribs.
Chudzinski said he is not concerned about Richardson's durability.
"It's the preseason, we have a plan of working him and making sure that he gets reps as needed out here in practice and we build him to be ready for the beginning of the season," Chudzinski said.
Richardson did not play in any of Cleveland's exhibition games a year ago, when he was recovering from minor knee surgery. He recently said one of his goals was to play in all four of Cleveland's preseason games. Richardson took part in some drills on Wednesday, but was not on the field during team activities.
Chudzinski said Richardson understands the reasons for the Browns keeping him out.
Richardson rushed for 950 yards and caught 51 passes for 367 yards as a rookie. He played in 15 games, missing only the finale at Pittsburgh with an ankle injury sustained the previous week at Denver.
Chudzinski said Dion Lewis will start in Richardson's spot. Also, starting strong safety T.J. Ward (hamstring) and starting guard Shawn Lauvao (ankle) will also sit out against the Rams.
