Paul Richardson Injury: Torn ACL Ends Colorado Receiver's Year

The Colorado Buffaloes will enter their second year of Pac-12 play minus Paul Richardson, their third-leading receiver in 2011 (555 yards, along with a handful of other touches). The junior is done for the year after suffering a torn ACL in spring ball special teams drills, the school announced Tuesday.

With Toney Clemons, Rodney Stewart and Ryan Deehan moving on, Richardson looked set to be the Buffs' No. 1 receiving option this year. The loss leaves a whole bunch of sophomores as the primary weapons -- Keenan Canty's 161 yards will be tops among returning receivers.

The good news: Richardson has a redshirt year to spend.

In a statement, head coach Jon Embree said:

Obviously, it's a blow to our team, but it's a part of the game. It's an opportunity for others to step up and try to lessen his loss. I thought at first he just rolled his ankle, and it turned out to be this. It's a shame because he's worked real hard and was doing a great job both on and off the field, leading by example and improving on all the things he needed to work on.

I told him that when I played, a torn ACL was doomsday for a skill position player. Now, he'll be able to come back stronger and faster. He's obviously disappointed, but he is in great spirits about what happened and will make the most of his redshirt year available to him.

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