Top Colorado WR Paul Richardson Might Miss Only 2 Games

Colorado WR Paul Richardson Will Redshirt

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Paul Richardson has opted to redshirt this season in hopes of being fully healthy for 2013, according to BuffZone.com's Kyle Ringo (via SB Nation Denver).

Richardson, a junior from Los Angeles, tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a spring practice session on April 9 and underwent surgery a week later. He was expected to be a big part of the Buffaloes' offense this season, coming off a year in which he caught 39 passes for 555 yards and five touchdowns despite playing in just nine games. He has proven to be an explosive player, which was especially evident during a Sept. 10, 2011, game against the California Golden Bears in which he caught 11 balls for a school-record 284 yards and two touchdowns.

With Richardson out, the Buffs will rely upon a largely inexperienced bunch. Sophomore Keenan Canty, who had 14 catches for 161 yards a year ago, will be the team's leading returning receiver.

For more on Colorado, be sure to visit The Ralphie Report. Additional coverage on the Buffs can also be found at SB Nation Denver.

Paul Richardson Could Miss As Few As Two Colorado Games

Richardson has set a Sept. 22 goal as his return date from ACL surgery in mid-April.

Paul Richardson Injury: Colorado Depth Chart Looking Younger And Younger

The Colorado Buffaloes were set to enter 2012 with newbies at quarterback and running back, but at least they'd have Paul Richardson to follow up on his promising 2011 at wide receiver. Sadly, Richardson is done for the year due to a torn ACL suffered during special-teams drills.

Buffs blog The Ralphie Report surveys the damage:

That leaves us incredibly green at Receiver, with Keenan Canty and Tyler McCulloch as our leading returning Pass-catchers. And the fact that Nelson Spruce went ahead and solidified himself as the #2 guy to Richardson means he's now the top guy going into the Summer. So in addition to breaking in a new QB and a new RB, we're breaking in all new Wideouts as well.

Richardson was looking to become a young star in the Pac-12, with Colorado coaches praising his spring workouts and an entire offense there for the taking. He posted 555 receiving yards last year, tops by far among all returning Buffaloes.

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For more on Buffs football, visit Colorado blog The Ralphie Report, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and SB Nation Denver.

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

Top Colorado receiver Paul Richardson is done for the year after tearing his ACL.