Peek blows out his knee

Browns coach Romeo Crennel said five-year veteran outside linebacker Antwan Peek blew out his right knee in practice Wednesday.

Crennel said, ''It looks like the patellar tendon,'' an injury that also befell center LeCharles Bentley and cornerback Gary Baxter while with the Browns. Both are currently out of football.

Peek, who signed with Cleveland as a free agent from Houston in 2007, was undergoing surgery Thursday morning and will be placed on injured reserve, meaning he will be lost for the season. Shantee Orr, a free agent signed in March and released in final cuts, was on his way back to Cleveland, hopefully for practice Thursday.

''Shantee does know the system, he has some position versatility, we feel like he brings some value to us,'' Crennel said. ''It's fortunate Orr was still available, we didnt have to go get somebody new who was not familiar with our system and scheme. If there is a positive that is a positive.''

Peek's injury will mean a more visible role for rookie Alex Hall, a seventh-round pick from Division II St. Augustine in Raleigh, N.C. Hall was selected the Browns' most outstanding rookie in training camp in a media vote.

Peek was running down the field and planted when his knee blew out. He was thrilled this week to be back on the field in full pads after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on the same knee on July 31.
He played in 14 games and started four in 2007, when he was also plagued by knee and ankle problems. Last season he recorded 24 tackles (12 solos) and tied for second on the team in sacks (four) and quarterback pressures (nine).