AP

The Cleveland Browns, already considering the possibility of reducing rookie running back Trent Richardson’s carries due to his production, may now have reason to limit his touches due to his health.

Richardson, the third overall pick in the 2012 draft, has been added to the injury report with an illness. He is officially listed a probable for the game against the Redskins.

The term “probable” means there’s a virtual certainty that Richardson will be available for normal duty. But if he’s ill he may not be as effective.

For the season, Richardson has gained 869 yards on 247 carries, an average of 3.5 yards per carry. Those aren’t awful (thanks, John Skipper) numbers, but they suggest that Richardson hasn’t been the difference-maker the Browns thought he’d be when they traded up from No. 4 to No. 3 to get him.