Browns do not regret playing Hardesty

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The Browns understood that drafting Montario Hardesty was risky. Now they know how risky.

Cleveland general manager Tom Heckert said the team was comfortable with its medical reports and evaluations of Hardesty, who tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in the Browns’ final exhibition game on Thursday and is out for the season.

Making his pro debut after missing training camp with a bone bruise in his right knee, Hardesty tore his ACL while making a cut on a routine 2-yard run. Hardesty tore his right ACL in 2005 and needed surgery during his freshman season at Tennessee.

He slid into the second round — the Browns traded three picks to select him at No. 59 overall — partly because of his knee issues.

Heckert said the club was confident in its pre-draft medical evaluations of Hardesty, who gained 25 yards on seven carries with a touchdown before getting hurt.

“We spent a lot of time with our doctors and felt comfortable [drafting him],” Heckert said on a teleconference on Suday. “It’s a blow.”

Heckert said doctors believe Hardesty will make a full recovery after he has surgery, which has not yet been scheduled.

“We’re comfortable he’s going to come back and be fine,” he said.

Heckert said he had no regrets about Hardesty playing in Cleveland’s last preseason game. He talked it over with coach Eric Mangini and president Mike Holmgren and all felt it was time to see Hardesty play after he was cleared by the team’s medical staff.

“Montario was on board as well,” Heckert said. “It was just one of those things that happens.”

With Hardesty, projected as Cleveland’s starter, out for the season, the Browns’ running back position is likely to be a committee of Jerome Harrison, Peyton Hillis and James Davis, whose roster spot appeared uncertain before Hardesty got hurt.

One day after finalizing his first 53-man roster since taking over in Cleveland, Heckert had other observations and comments:

• He expects nose tackle Shaun Rogers to practice this week in advance of the Sunday’s season opener at Tampa Bay. Rogers, a three-time Pro Bowler and Cleveland’s best defensive player, missed all of training camp and the four exhibitions while recovering from a leg injury.

• Heckert said linebacker D’Qwell Jackson may be ahead of schedule as he recovers from a strained chest muscle. Jackson injured his pectoral muscle during camp. It’s the opposite muscle from the one he tore last season. Jackson is one of 12 linebackers currently on Cleveland’s roster.

• The Browns will continue to scan the waiver wire. Heckert said the club is looking to add a cornerback or safety, but he doesn’t feel the needs to upgrade at wide receiver.