Peyton Hillis Injury: Updates on Browns Star's Week 8 Status and Fantasy Value

Peyton Hillis is living in the world of the "Madden Curse." This curse is currently applying its malicious intent in the form of a hamstring injury.

Hillis sat out the Browns Week 7 victory over the Seahawks after injuring his hamstring the prior week in a game against the Raiders.

Hillis was a game-time decision for the Browns this Sunday, but that does not mean he will be able to return next week. Hamstrings are a difficult injury to put a timetable on.

Update: Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2:51 p.m. EDT by Matt Faulconer

As expected, Peyton Hillis will be inactive for the Cleveland Browns this weekend. He made the trip to San Francisco, but John Clayton of ESPN is reporting that he won't be active for this game.

Fantasy owners should tread lightly on Montario Hardesty if they expected to play him in Hillis' absence. The 49ers have one of the best run defenses in the league and rarely allow a 100-yard rusher.

Update: Friday, Oct. 28 at 2:00 p.m EDT- Andrew Kulha

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer and ESPN, Hillis is questionable, but will make the Trip to San Francisco.

John Clayton of ESPN doesn't think he will play:

As far as fantasy is concerned Hillis is a horrible option this year. It looks like the Madden curse may have struck again. Add on to his injuries the fact that he's been having horrible contract talks with the Browns, and he's essentially un-usable right now.

Update: Thursday, Oct. 27 at 12:10 p.m EDT

It's amazing how quickly things can change from one day to the next. On Wednesday, Peyton Hillis was practicing and looked good. Today, however, the Browns running back is not even on the practice field. 

Hillis is still in line to start this weekend against the 49ers, so this is likely just a precautionary measure to keep him from overworking himself. Still, it is a situation worth monitoring over the next 72 hours. 

Update: Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 4:40 p.m. EDT

Hillis went through practice today and, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, everything looked good. 

It might not sound like much but Hillis' presence in the backfield is critical for the Browns against San Francisco. 

In the two games that Hillis hasn't played in, the Browns have averaged 11.5 points. In the other four games they are averaging over 18 points. Maybe it is just a coincidence, or maybe he still makes that much of a difference for the team even though he is not having a great season overall. 

Update: Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 2:30 p.m. EDT

The Browns got good news regarding Peyton Hillis' hamstring and he will likely be back in the lineup this Sunday against the 49ers, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Even better news - or worse depending on your perspective - is that Hillis should be able to handle a full workload in the game. Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram was asked how involved Hillis will be in the offense and responded with this this. 

The 49ers have one of the best run defenses in the NFL this season (74.7 yards allowed per game) so don't expect a lot from Hillis in this game. But at least he is back because the Browns need all the playmakers they can get right now. 

Even when Hillis does return, he will return to a reduced role. Pat Shurmur indicated that Montario Hardesty has earned more touches even with a healthy Hillis. Here is Shurmur as quoted by Jamison Hensley on ESPN.com:

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"He played like a starting running back and he battled. He wasn't perfect. I'm sure he's going to be sore [Monday], but yes, I think for the time being he's earned the right to carry the football and we're going to welcome Peyton back when he's healthy and hopefully we can keep building on that."

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Update: Monday, October 24th at 3:30 p.m. EST

There is no official update on the status of Hillis' injury, but the following move, which was tweeted by ESPN's Adam Schefter, indicates that the Browns are concerned Hillis could miss more time.

Keep an eye on this injury, but my guess is Hillis will miss next week's contest.