The Cleveland Browns were hoping the injury bug would avoid them in 2011 after an injury-plagues 2010. That hope lasted all of 3 days. Punter Reggie Hodges will miss the entire 2011 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon on Tuesday. Suregey is pending for Hodges, the only punter on the Browns roster.
Hodges was reaching for a snap during Tuesday's practice when he crumpled to the ground. He was in visible pain when he was carted off by the team's training staff.
At the time, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur said that Hodges had an 'episode with his left foot', though the feeling was the injury was serious.
Cleveland will now comb the free agency wire looking for a replacement for the season.
Hodges was entering his 5th season in the NFL, his second full year as the Browns punter. Last year, Hodges averaged a career-best 43.9 yards per kick, with a net of 39.0. He also placed 29 punts inside the 20.