Browns RB Peyton Hillis inactive for second consecutive week

Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis is seen in the bench area as his team faces the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, in Cleveland. Hillis did not play in the game. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

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Running back Peyton Hillis traveled with the Browns (3-3) and engaged in a passing competition during pregame warm-ups, but he will sit out today's game against the San Francisco 49ers (5-1).

It's the second consecutive game Hillis will miss with a pulled left hamstring. Montario Hardesty will start in place of Hillis for the second time in as many weeks.

Hillis, who's pictured to the right, tried to come back from the injury, which he suffered Oct. 16 against the Oakland Raiders, though he aggravated it when he returned to practice this past Wednesday. Hillis missed practiced Thursday and Friday and was listed as questionable on the team’s injury report heading into today.

For more than 15 minutes, Hillis and third-string quarterback Thaddeus Lewis took turns trying to hit the cross bar while throwing from the 35-yard line. Hillis' new wedding ring sparkled in the California sunlight as he competed with Lewis. He reportedly got married this past Tuesday in Northwest Arkansas.

In addition to Hillis, Lewis, wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (concussion), safety Ray Ventrone (hamstring), center Steve Vallos, offensive lineman Oniel Cousins and defensive end Auston English (knee) are inactive today for the Browns. Josh Cribbs will start at wide receiver in place of Massaquoi.

This will be the third game for which Hillis has been inactive. The Browns are 2-0 this season when he's out.