Browns running back Montario Hardesty is on injured reserve for the year with a torn ACL, the Browns announced.
Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty grimaces in pain after suffering a left knee injury in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears Thursday night at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Hardesty walked to the locker room under his own power, and an immediate report on his injury was not available. Updated 4:36 p.m.
CLEVELAND -- Browns running back Montario Hardesty is on injured reserve and out for the year with a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, the Browns said today.
Hardesty will undergo surgery to repair the ligament. He also suffered a torn right ACL as a freshman at Tennessee in 2005.
His agent, Mitch Frankel, pointed out that another one of his clients, former Browns running back Jamal Lewis, had a long and successful career despite surgery to repair a torn LCL and a torn ACL.
Hardesty underwent an MRI today, which confirmed early concerns of the tear, Schefter reported.
Hardesty, the second-round pick out of Tennessee, suffered the injury while making a cut on a two-yard run Thursday night vs. the Bears.
He hobbled out of the locker room on crutches and wearing a full leg brace. Frankel said the fact Hardesty walked off the field on his own and into the locker room didn't mean it wasn't serious.
"I've seen plenty of players walk off the field with torn ACLs,'' he said.
The recovery period for a torn ACL is often about nine months. The Browns traded a third round pick and two fifth-rounders to move up to draft him in the second round. They had high hopes for him this season.
The injury means Jerome Harrison will most likely be the starter, with Peyton Hillis and James Davis rounding out the tailback spot. Davis, who had a productive game against the Bears Thursday night, underwent X-rays on his ankle after the game, but said he was fine.
The Browns will make six other roster moves today.