Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has defended the form of running back Trent Richardson so far this season.

Richardson joined the Colts from the Cleveland Browns in a trade for a 2014 first-round Draft pick earlier this season but has averaged just 2.8 yards per carry since the move.

However, Pagano believes that the 22-year-old has been making an important contribution to his side, and argued that his relatively low figures are more likely to be caused by a lack of blocking from the offensive line.

"You look at Trent's runs, for whatever reason, there's penetration. There's a guy in the backfield waiting there. He had some really good runs, plays that he made in space, screens; things like that he does a great job with," Pagano told The AP.

"Just, for whatever reason, we miss a block here or there and a guy is sitting there free in the hole. It just happens to be that we just handed the ball to [Richardson], so it's nothing that he did. We'll get it fixed. We'll get the holes there."

Richardson has also defended his form this season, insisting that he is not frustrated as he believes that he is playing well.