CLEVELAND (AP) — Montario Hardesty’s strong start in place of a too-ill-to-play Peyton Hillis on Sunday may change Cleveland’s backfield look the rest of this season.
Hardesty ran for 67 yards on 14 carries, showing good vision and breakaway potential in his first extended action since undergoing knee surgery last season. Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Hardesty was “further along” and “can handle more” than he thought. Shurmur knows for the Browns to play consistently they’ll need both backs to contribute.
Shurmur said Hillis “is our back” but the team learned a lot about Hardesty, a second-round pick who missed his entire rookie season.
Hillis returned to practice on Wednesday after missing Sunday’s game with strep throat. The Browns host Tennessee on Sunday.
