Peyton Hillis Injury: With Browns RB Out, Is Montario Hardesty a Solid Starter?

According to Adam Schefter, Peyton Hillis has left the stadium and is out for today's game against the Miami Dolphins.  This is a big loss for the Cleveland Browns, as Hillis is the center of their game plan.  They will now need to lean on Montario Hardesty.  Hardesty is still working his way back from a knee injury, but appears to be 100 percent.

Last season, the Browns selected Hardesty in the second round with the hope he would battle for the starting running back spot.  However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury, which opened the door for Peyton Hillis.  Hillis was an intriguing player, but seen as more of a fullback than a tailback.

The emergence of Hillis put Hardesty in the back of everyone's mind.  However, he is a talented running back that is capable of picking up yards after contact.  Due to several knee injuries, he may have lost a step or two, but his game is about breaking tackles.

While at Tennessee, Hardesty was considered one of the toughest running backs in the country.  He used that reputation to ease fears about his injury history.  However, the injury bug bit again, wiping out his rookie season.

Hardesty has potential, but he will always be an injury concern.  Today, he is facing a Dolphins defense that is looking to turn things around.  Last season, this unit was one of the best in the NFL, but they have struggled in the early going.  Hardesty will get plenty of carries, but he isn't a great fantasy option.

I would value Hardesty more if the Browns actually had some offensive firepower.  The Browns are not going to move the ball up and down the field, limiting Hardesty's goal-line carries.

Jon Dove is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report, covering the NFL and NFL draft. Check him out on Twitter @Jon_Dove42.