Cleveland Browns: Peyton Hillis Benching/Injury Proof of Madden Curse

Noticeably absent from the Cleveland Browns offense during their 24-17 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, was star running back Peyton Hillis, who left the game early in the first half after managing a measly 14 yards on six carries.

Reports later swirled about that the Cleveland coaching staff benched Hillis, although those reports were later refuted by Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur, who claimed that the fourth year running back had injured his hamstring, according to a report on NFL.com.

"He really couldn't compete," Shurmur said. "He tried to go in at one point."

Hillis is scheduled to undergo an MRI Monday, and whether his abbreviated afternoon Sunday was the result of an injury or a coaching decision that the Cleveland staff is attempting to minimize the fallout from, the fact remains that this is just the latest indignity in a season filled with them.

Fresh off his nearly 1,200-yard, 11-touchdown 2010 season, Hillis was the toast of Cleveland and was anointed the cover boy for "Madden '12." But the events that have transpired since, once again beg the question of whether or not that honor brings with it a curse.

Since appearing on the cover, Hillis has become embroiled in a nasty public dispute with the Cleveland front office over negotiations on an extension to his contract, which expires after this season.

That dispute culminated in Hillis sitting out Cleveland's Week 3 win over the Miami Dolphins due to strep throat, a move reportedly supported by Hillis' agent, but one that went over like a lead feather with some of Hillis' teammates.

Also, and even more importantly, Hillis has struggled mightily to this point in the 2011 campaign, averaging a measly 3.5 yards per carry and motivating some among fans and in the media to call for running back Montario Hardesty to receive more carries.

Whether or not you believe in the "Madden Curse," there's no denying that, to this point, Peyton Hillis' 2011 season has been a massive disappointment. What was already an ugly situation appears to be growing uglier by the day.