Cleveland Browns' Montario Hardesty Out for Season With Torn ACL

ESPN's Adam Schefter has reported that initial tests have confirmed that Cleveland Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty will be out for the 2010 season with a torn ACL.

Hardesty suffered the injury to his left knee while making a cut early in the second quarter of Thursday night's preseason finale against the Chicago Bears. The game was the NFL debut for Hardesty, who started off the night strong, gaining 25 yards and a touchdown on seven carries before the injury.

Hardesty was a talented, but injury prone player in college at Tennessee. After four injury shortened seasons, Hardesty was finally healthy enough to play the entire 2009 campaign and put up impressive numbers that year, with 1345 yards rushing, 302 yards receiving, and 14 total touchdowns.

Cleveland's medical staff evaluated Hardesty prior to the 2010 NFL draft and determined that he would not be an injury risk moving forward. The Browns were very impressed with the powerful runner and traded two fifth round picks and a third round pick to move back into the second round to select Hardesty with the 59th overall pick.

Hardesty was impressive throughout rookie camp and OTAs, and was expected to push incumbent Jerome Harrison for the starting running back job this season. However, Hardesty suffered a bruised bone in his right knee just before the start of training camp and missed all of camp and the first three games of the preseason.

The latest injury likely means that Hardesty will miss the entire 2010 season for the Browns. This comes as a serious blow to the Browns, who have struggled to find a franchise running back since returning to the league in 1999. Jerome Harrison should retain starting duties with Peyton Hillis and James Davis providing depth at the running back position.