Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson has revealed that he is missing the AFC championship game against the New England Patriots because of a "serious family emergency".

The 24-year-old missed his side's walkthrough for the game and was confirmed as out for the match, but has now revealed that he was forced into the measure because he was at hospital dealing with a family emergency.

"I had to miss walkthrough. I'm dealing with a very serious family emergency. I'm still at the hospital. I wouldn't purposely just miss walkthrough," Richardson told ESPN.

"I wouldn't just purposely turn my back on the team. I would have been there if I wasn't dealing with this issue."

Offensive lineman Xavier Nixon will also miss the match after missing the flight out to New England.