Cleveland Browns running back Montario Hardesty has been M.I.A. from team practices since Aug .1 because of pain in his surgically repaired knee. But he was back on Monday. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Hardesty ran full speed during team drills, caught passes out of the backfield and didn't seem to be favoring his knee in any of his reps.
"It was fun to get back in football mode again," Hardesty said. "It was tough (sitting out) but it let me get my legs back up under me."
Hardesty underwent surgery in September 2010 after tearing an ACL during the preseason.

Fantasy Analysis:

Hardesty has some catching up to do if he wants to be Peyton Hillis ' handcuff. Brandon Jackson was OK against the Packers on Saturday in the team's first preseason game, but he is certainly ahead of Hardesty on the depth chart. If Hardesty stays healthy, he should be able to pass Jackson, and he has a chance of being a late-round sleeper this year. But knee injuries have been part of his story way too often.