National Football League

Browns RB Hardesty has knee surgery

Published Aug. 15, 2013 6:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

Browns running back Montario Hardesty underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and will likely miss at least the first two regular-season games.

The team said Hardesty's operation ''went as expected'' on Thursday. Hardesty's football career has been slowed by knee problems. The former second-round draft pick has had the anterior cruciate ligament in both knees repaired.

Hardesty missed most of training camp with a hamstring tendon issue and then dislocated his right thumb in practice on Monday while trying to catch a direct snap from center.

With Hardesty out of action, Dion Lewis and Brandon Jackson will compete for the backup spot behind starter Trent Richardson.

Hardesty rushed for 271 yards last season, his third with Cleveland. He missed his entire rookie season in 2010 after tearing his ACL in the final exhibition game.