Stephen Holder

stephen.holder@indystar.com

The time will come when an accurate assessment of the Colts' running game can truly be made.

That time, however, is not now.

Not when the Colts and quarterback Andrew Luck, facing a 24-point first-half deficit, were forced to throw 53 times (versus just 14 rushes) in Sunday's season opener at Denver.

But when the Colts finally are able to achieve the healthier play-selection balance they seek, you can expect to continue to see both Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw combining efforts in the offensive backfield.

In fact, Richardson – who the Colts traded a first-round pick to Cleveland to acquire last season – would prefer it that way.

"I think it's going to be a good, equal load," Richardson said. "Ahmad knows that once I get tired or once I'm winded, when I look to that sideline or he looks to the sideline, we know how to complement each other. It can be a drive where we have it going. I might have to look to the sideline and say, 'Come get me.' And I know if he does that to go get him. We work well together."

One of the key questions about the Colts' offense heading into the season was how, exactly, the team would distribute touches between the two veteran running backs.

Interestingly, it was Bradshaw who got more playing time than Richardson on Sunday. Bradshaw played 44 snaps while Richardson was on the field for 29. That had a lot to do with the Colts' decision to go with a hurry-up, two-minute style offense in the second half, in which Bradshaw has a larger role.

Richardson had just six carries in the game, far fewer than the Colts envisioned. In a perfect world, when the Colts can play balanced football and, you know, not fall behind by four scores, he's still likely to get the majority of the work.

But given the way Bradshaw performed, with 85 yards from scrimmage (on three rushes and five receptions), the Colts will make room for both.

"From game to game, it'll be different depending on the score and how we're using different personnel groups," coach Chuck Pagano said.

"They're both more than capable of being every-down backs. They're both good in pass protection. They're both good out of the backfield. Whether it's Ahmad out there or Trent out there, I feel good about both those guys."

Richardson finished with just 20 rushing yards on six carries, hardly enough work to draw any firm conclusions. But a close examination of his handful of carries show instances of improved vision and decisiveness compared with 2013, when he averaged 2.9 yards per carry in 14 games with the Colts.

While the Colts might be hesitant to admit it, they likely won't be totally dependent on Bradshaw because of his injury history. He's coming off season-ending neck surgery from last season, and hasn't played a full schedule since 2010.

Bradshaw was limited in Thursday's practice because of "general soreness," Pagano said.

But so long as the eighth-year running back is out there, Bradshaw again proved he can still be effective.

"I think both of those guys can run the heck out of the ball," Luck said.

But the running game will be a non-factor unless and until the Colts can execute early in games and stick to their gameplans. Play action and power runs will continue to be staples of the Colts offense – at least when possible.

"We can't go in there and go three-and-out," Richardson said. "We shot ourselves in the foot a lot of times. We're a way better team than that. Way better. We've come too far and done too much and made too many changes for that to happen. We disservice ourselves if we go three-and-out or can't run the ball or move the ball down the field."

Follow Star reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.