Packers Safety Sean Richardson Cleared to Return to Football, Says Report

Straight from the "great news" file is a story about a Green Bay Packers safety who had neck surgery and is planning to return to football soon. Sean Richardson, who made the team in 2012 as an undrafted free agent out of Vanderbilt University, had a herniated disc in his spine that sidelined him in November of last year.

After having fusion surgery on two vertebrae, Richardson has been trying to return to football all offseason, but has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list so far this regular season. Finally, it looks like that wait may be coming to an end soon, as the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tom Silverstein reports.

#Packers S Sean Richardson (neck) said team doctor has cleared him to resume his career. Said 5 out of 5 doctors agreed it's safe to return.

— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) October 23, 2013

Richardson is not practicing yet and remains on PUP, but said he is more than ready to return and is just waiting for the go-ahead.

— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) October 23, 2013

This is terrific news for Richardson. He is the Packers' biggest safety and probably their most physical. If he can return to the active roster, he would certainly be able to help out on special teams and might be able to rotate in on defense on occasion as well. With the players at the second safety position being inconsistent alongside Morgan Burnett, getting back another capable body to rotate in and out would be a great mid-season addition to the roster.

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