Signing a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent this offseason, former Florida Gators linebacker Brandon Siler hoped to prove that he was capable of being a productive starter in the league so he could earn a long-term contract.

Unfortunately Siler will not have that opportunity this year and will miss the entire 2011 season after tearing his Achilles tendon during practice on Tuesday and undergoing surgery the same day, a source close to the player told OGGOA. Kansas City is expected to place him on injured reserve soon.

The Chiefs were planning to start Siler this season and believed in his long-term potential. He totaled four tackles (three solo) in two preseason starts this year.

A seventh-round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers who amassed 123 tackles, three sacks, a safety and two interceptions in four seasons with the team, Siler registered 44 tackles (34 solo) in 12 games in 2010.

Though he played in 58 games over four years, Siler did not earn his first start for the Chargers until 2009. He held that role for 12 of 28 games over his final two years with the franchise before San Diego allowed him to walk as a free agent in the offseason.

Siler is one of the league’s biggest Gator Chompers and tied for first place in the 2010 OGGOA NFL Chomp-O-Meter standings with four on the season.