Hardesty Hurt?

[Shep]

Shit. Another knee. Walked off but nobody knows how bad it is yet.

James Davis, baby.

[Inspecta]

Fucking A....

It's starting to look like this might be a bust of a pick right off the bat. I hope not, and it's entirely too early to say for sure, but two knee injuries before we take one snap that counts is NOT good for this kid's future. And all the more reason why we need to hold onto Harrison.

But the good news is that we have enough depth that we can move fwd without it disrupting too much. Harrison, Davis, Jennings and Hillis is a really nice unit that can cause a lot of damage to opposing front 7's

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

He's almost too hard of a runner. He'll get his dings but he looks like a good one.

[BernietheKid]

Hardesty Injured in 1st half vs. Bears
		By Fred Greetham OBR Browns Reporter Posted Sep 2, 2010 | More Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty was the lead story in the first half of the final preseason game Thursday night. Hardesty scored a touchdown on his fourth carry, then injured his knee early in the second half.
CLEVELAND — In the first half of the Browns final preseason game there wasn’t much of a story line while players battled for roster spots. The Browns and Bears are tied at 10. The big story of the first half was the debut of Montario Hardesty. He scored the Browns first touchdown as he carried the ball on all three plays after the Bears turned the ball over on the Browns’ 13. Hardesty looked good in the early going. He had seven carries for 25 yards, including the touchdown. In the second quarter, Hardesty went down with what was called a left leg injury after a short carry. It appeared to be either his ankle or knee. The Browns said his return was questionable. It was unrelated to the bone bruise on his right knee that kept him out of the first three preseason games. Hardesty walked off without a limp but was immediately surrounded by several trainers and doctors. After conferring on the sideline for several minutes, he walked to the locker room with a team doctor with a slight limp. Other than Hardesty’s injury, Colt McCoy started and was 10-of-10 for 93 yards with a long of 16 yards. The Bears jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 10:00 to play in the first quarter as they turned another Browns’ fumble into a quick score as McCoy and center Shawn Lauvao mishandled the first offensive snap and it was recovered by Kevin Malast at the Browns’ 19 and three plays later, Todd Collins hit tight end Greg Olsen for a 15-yard touchdown. After two short plays, Olsen got behind DeAngelo Smith for the score on third-and-six. The Browns tied the game at 3:40 to play in the first quarter as Hardesty scored from one-yard out. Hardesty, seeing his first action of the preseason, carried all three times for the 13 yards in the short drive. The score was set up as the Bears returned the favor and fumbled the ball back to the Browns at the Bears’ 13 as Jason Trusnik fell on the ball. Quarterback Todd Collins was trying to call a timeout when the ball was snapped over his head by Josh Beekman. Hardesty carried the ball over the right side for six yards to the seven and then again for six more to inside the one. On first-and-goal, Hardesty plowed in for the score to tie the game at 7-7. The Browns took a 10-7 lead with 3:29 to play in the first half as Phil Dawson kicked a 24-yard field. The Browns went 69 yards in 11 plays for the score, taking over six minutes off the clock. The Browns moved with McCoy hitting Syndric Steptoe for 16 yards and then a 16 yard pass to Joel Gamble to the Bears’ 28. James Davis took over for the injured Hardesty and had a run of eight yards and a 12-yard pick up on a pass from McCoy to the Bears’ seven. McCoy was 4-of-4 for 44 yards and a sack on the drive. The Bears tied the game at 10-10 with a 46-yard field goal by Robbie Gould after the Bears moved the ball 42 yards on eight plays. Notebook Colt’s Turn: Rookie QB Colt McCoy started in place of QB Jake Delhomme and was 10-of-10 for 93 yards with two sacks and a fumble. His QB rating was an impressive 105.4. Both Delhomme and QB Seneca Wallace were suited up but did not play. McCoy got off to a bad start as he and fellow rookie Shawn Lauvao mishandled the opening snap and the Bears recovered on the 19. They turned the fumble into a touchdown. McCoy completed his first pass to TE Evan Moore for five yards, but was sacked on third-and-one. McCoy found RB James Davis three times for 38 yards. He led the Browns down field at the end of the first half and the drive resulted in a missed 58-yard field goal by K Phil Dawson. James Makes His Bid: Capitalizing on Hardesty’s injury, RB James Davis had seven rushes for 33 yards and three receptions for 38 yards after subbing for Hardesty. Sacks: LB David Bowens and DL Brian Schaefering combined to get the Browns only sack in the first half. Active Marcus: LB Marcus Benard had seven tackles in the first quarter and had eight for the half. LB David Veikune and DB Larry Asante had four. Bubba Who: DB Ray Ventrone made a nice play when the Bears went for it on fourth-and-one from the Browns’ 20. Ventrone dove and broke up a pass near the sideline to give the Browns the ball. For Starters: LB David Veikune, LB David Bowens, LB Jason Trusnik were starting linebackers, while CB Brandon McDonald and Joe Haden started at cornerback. Rookies Larry Asante and T.J. Ward were the starting safeties. Brian Schaefering and Derreck Robinson started on the defensive line. Robinson had a tackle for a four-yard loss on the first series as he burst through and dropped the running back. On offense, Shawn Lauvao started at center with Pat Murray at left guard and Scott Kooistra at left tackle. Billy Yates was at right guard and Tony Pashos at right tackle. Joel Gamble started at tight end. Carlton Mitchell and Jake Allen were at wide receivers with Montario Hardesty at running back. Alex Smith lined up as the fullback. Old Friend: OL Kevin Shaffer is the backup left tackle for the Bears. Inactives: For the Browns: DB Nick Sorenson, LB D’Qwell Jackson, DL C. J. Mosley, OL Floyd Womack, OL John St. Clair, TE Robert Royal and DL Shaun Rogers. For the Bears: QB Jay Cutler, QB Caleb Hanie, S Craig Steltz, S Major Wright, LB Nick Roach, LB Brian Urlacher, LB Lance Briggs, C Olin Kreutz, WR Earl Bennett, LB Hunter Hillenmeyer. Scout.com: Hardesty Injured in 1st half vs. Bears

[Inspecta]

Well at least it's not the same knee that he went out with. That's a relief in one aspect, but then again you don't want to see your future RB going out with injuries at the drop of a hat.

[BernietheKid]

Hardesty injury overshadows Cleveland Browns' win over Chicago in preseason finale, 13-10

Published: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 10:56 PM Updated: Friday, September 03, 2010, 12:10 AM

Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer



UPDATED: 12:10 a.m.

John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer
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.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty's preseason debut was good while it lasted. But it ended prematurely with an injury to his left knee.





It brought the Browns' preseason to a thudding conclusion, with Hardesty talking dejectedly after the game with crutches lying in front of him and an MRI exam waiting on Friday.

"I can't say it's not frustrating," Hardesty said. "I've just got to keep my head up and keep working in the program."

The Browns pulled out the win over the Chicago Bears, 13-10, on a Phil Dawson 36-yard field goal as time expired. The victory evened their exhibition record at 2-2. Dawson earned both wins with field goals on the last play.

In perhaps his last act as a Brown, quarterback Brett Ratliff patched together the game-winning drive in the final 2:18. Veteran receiver Bobby Engram had two catches for 21 yards on the drive.

Coaches always manage their final preseason game with fingers crossed, hoping to avoid injuries. But this could become a routine occurrence whenever Hardesty takes the field. The talented back's injury problems at Tennessee have been well-chronicled. Now he has hurt both knees before playing a regular-season game.

A bone bruise on his right knee caused Hardesty to miss 27 days of training camp and three preseason games. That's the knee on which Hardesty had surgery to repair the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament tear as a freshman in 2005.

The injury to his left knee occurred on his seventh carry in his preseason debut against the Bears. That's the knee that reportedly received an arthscopic procedure in 2006.

Hardesty started the game and quickly demonstrated the skills that endeared him to Browns General Manager Tom Heckert on draft day. His second and third runs each went for six yards, and his fourth was a one-yard burrow over right guard for a touchdown.

Hardesty had another six-yard run, breaking through a tackle. Then on his seventh attempt, Hardesty did not get up after gaining two yards.

He was quickly surrounded by Browns' medical personnel. Hardesty left the field on his own and then was swarmed by five medical personnel as he sat on a table on the sideline.

After a few minutes, Hardesty walked dejectedly to the locker room with a trainer. He finished with 25 yards and the TD on seven carries. Coach Eric Mangini said he won't know the extent of Hardesty's injury until tests are completed.

James Davis replaced Hardesty and made an emphatic case to make the final roster. Davis, locked in a battle with Chris Jennings as a reserve back and special teamer, rushed 15 times for 66 yards and had gains of 12 and 14 yards on short Colt McCoy completions. Jennings had 18 yards on five carries.

Speaking of McCoy, the rookie finally had some fun and reason to feel good about his first NFL preseason. But it didn't start out that way.

McCoy fumbled the first snap from rookie Shawn Lauvao -- who started at center and probably added that backup role to his starting job at right guard. McCoy then suffered a sack on his fourth play when he tap-danced in a well-formed pocket.

But McCoy showed the resiliency that made him the NCAA's all-time winningest quarterback at Texas. Playing into the third quarter, McCoy regrouped and went on to complete all 13 passes he attempted for 131 yards. He was sacked three times.

Last week, McCoy said he never practiced a single play he ran in the Detroit game. He obviously got more reps in two days of practice this week, and it showed.

McCoy, though, may have broken a bone in his left (non-throwing) hand.

Defensively, the Browns' "starters" for this game allowed Chicago quarterback Todd Collins to complete six of his first seven passes in his first outing with his new team.
Collins, an old pro entering his 16th NFL season, needed only three plays to find the end zone after McCoy's first-play fumble.

Collins flipped an easy touchdown to tight end Greg Olsen from 15 yards. Olsen beat backup safety DeAngelo Smith by about five yards.

Collins finished the first half completing 10 of 15 for 139 yards. His passer rating was 118.5. Backup running back Chester Taylor hit the Browns for 23 yards on four carries.

The Browns fielded a defensive unit to start the game that included mostly backups.
Rookie Joe Haden got a few reps at cornerback. The linebackers were Jason Trusnik, David Veikune, David Bowens and Marcus Benard. Veikune, Trusnik and Benard were still playing into the fourth quarter.

Usually, playing time in the fourth quarter of the final preseason game is a ticket to the waiver wire. But Benard might be the team's best pass rusher at linebacker and he was working with the No. 1 unit earlier this summer.

Ratliff's winning drive at the end took receiver Jake Allen off the hook. Ratliff had the Browns close to scoring territory with 4:29 left in the fourth quarter when his pass deflected off Allen's hands and was intercepted by Bears safety Aaron Webster.

The Browns' deep backups denied Bears rookie quarterback Dan LeFevour the chance to savor victory. LeFevour moved the Bears to the Browns' 39, but was flattened for a sack on third down by defensive end Brian Sanford.

Hardesty injury overshadows Cleveland Browns' win over Chicago in preseason finale, 13-10 | cleveland.com

[BernietheKid]

Browns | Montario Hardesty on crutches

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:05:46 -0400
Cleveland Browns rookie RB Montario Hardesty (knee) left the stadium Thursday, Sept. 2, on crutches with a heavy knee brace on, reports The NFL Network.
Fantasy Tip: It is another bad break for Hardesty, who just cannot seem to stay healthy during his short NFL tenure. Depending on the severity of this injury, it could keep him on the shelf entering the regular season. Second-year RB James Davis shined during the team's preseason finale, and may have worked his way into the mix at running back, where veteran Jerome Harrison is likely to start the season as the team's primary tailback. Hardesty should be considered a low-end No. 4 fantasy back at this time, while Harrison is looking like a safer No. 3 option, especially in point-per-reception formats. Consider Davis as a late-round option as a low end No. 5 fantasy back.


Read more: KFFL - Cleveland Browns News and Notes

[Enigmatic Evil]

Hard not to look at this as a bit of a bummer. Hardesty was a player we traded up for and right out the gate we were hyping him to usurp Jerome Harrison's position. Its depressing that he's hurt both of his knees and we haven't gotten any idea of just how good this guy can be yet, Colt McCoy's getting little to no work in practice and bombing the first three pre-season games and we're all grabbing our pitch forks and torches. What the hell?

This opens the door for James Davis, IMO. How did he do in yesterday's pre-season game?

[BernietheKid]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

Hard not to look at this as a bit of a bummer. Hardesty was a player we traded up for and right out the gate we were hyping him to usurp Jerome Harrison's position. Its depressing that he's hurt both of his knees and we haven't gotten any idea of just how good this guy can be yet, Colt McCoy's getting little to no work in practice and bombing the first three pre-season games and we're all grabbing our pitch forks and torches. What the hell?

This opens the door for James Davis, IMO. How did he do in yesterday's pre-season game?

James Davis replaced Hardesty and made an emphatic case to make the final roster. Davis, locked in a battle with Chris Jennings as a reserve back and special teamer, rushed 15 times for 66 yards and had gains of 12 and 14 yards on short Colt McCoy completions.

[hammertime]

McCoy, though, may have broken a bone in his left (non-throwing) hand.


huh?

[BernietheKid]

Originally Posted by hammertime

McCoy, though, may have broken a bone in his left (non-throwing) hand.


huh?

After the game, McCoy underwent X-rays on his swollen left throwing hand, which got stepped on. But he said he'll be fine and was encouraged by his performance.

via here:
Colt McCoy shows steady improvement in his preseason finale: Browns Insider | cleveland.com

[golfer704u]

I assume we can put Hardesty on the PUP now and get another guy onto the 53 man roster?