Richardson what ’Hawks hoped

RENTON, WASH.» Paul Richardson believed that if he could ever get through all the injuries that have sidetracked his career, he could develop into a consistent option for the Seattle Seahawks.

It’s finally happening, and just in time with the former Colorado Buffalo in a contract year.

“I’m pretty confident in myself out there and in the offense. My biggest focus every week is to stay healthy,” Richardson said. “So as long as I’m healthy, I feel like I give us a good chance on offense to make some plays or at least draw some attention, take the top off or whatever my duty calls me to do that week, I just maximize it.”

One of the big questions entering the season was who would become the complementary wide receiver opposite Doug Baldwin, especially after Jermaine Kearse was traded to the New York Jets before the start of the regular season.

Richardson is filling that role. He’s already set a career high with a team-high five touchdown receptions, including two TDs and 105 yards receiving in Seattle’s win over Houston two weeks ago. He’s four catches away from tying his career-best of 29 receptions in his rookie season in 2014.

Having those second and third options has become even more important as Seattle’s run game has scuffled through the first eight weeks and the team has relied more on quarterback Russell Wilson’s arm. Seattle is second in the NFL in passing yards per game and Wilson is on pace to attempt more than 600 passes this season for the first time in his career.

Baldwin will always be Wilson’s primary target. But Richardson’s improved consistency and ability to win deep throws downfield has been a boost for Seattle’s offense.

“It is really fun to see him so confident now,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He has just grown so much. He has been very levelheaded about it as well in his work habits and everything.”

Injuries have defined most of Richardson’s career to this point. It started at the end of his rookie season when Richardson suffered a torn ACL in a playoff game against Carolina. He missed the first half of the 2015 season still recovering and when he did return, he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury on his only catch of the year, a 40-yard reception down the sideline.

He returned healthy in 2016 but struggled to find a role in the offense until late in the season.