TRAVIS-BENJAMIN-HURT.JPG

Cleveland Browns trainers tend to receiver Travis Benjamin after a hit left him injured in the second half Sunday in Kansas City. The Browns said today that Benjamin has an ACL tear and is lost for the season.

(Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

BEREA, Ohio - Browns electrifying receiver/returner Travis Benjamin suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Chiefs and will be lost for the season, coach Rob Chudzinski announced Monday afternoon.

Benjamin will undergo surgery soon to repair the torn ACL. The rehabilitation period is anywhere from eight to 12 months.

"It's a tough loss for us, but we'll have some guys step up,'' said Chudzinski.

He said Davone Bess will be the primary returner, but that Joe Haden also will pitch in.

Benjamin, last year's fourth-round pick, had a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown against Buffalo this year and an 86-yard kickoff return in Green Bay.

He suffered the injury on a third-quarter punt return. Bess stepped in to Benjamin's spot and fumbled away a punt return that cost the Browns a chance to tie the Chiefs or beat them.

Benjamin was sixth in the NFL with an 11.7 punt-return average.