NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cleveland Browns punter Reggie Hodges will likely miss the 2011 National Football League (NFL) season after he tore the Achilles tendon in his left leg during practice on Tuesday.
"It'll probably prevent him from playing this year," Browns coach Pat Shurmur told reporters.
"We're going to look for the best possible replacement that we can and we're going to quickly address that. We'll have some guys in tomorrow and will have a tryout going."
The 29-year-old Hodges, who was entering his third season with the Browns, was one of the NFL's top-rated punters last season. He punted 78 times and averaged 43.9 yards, dropping 29 punts inside the 20-yard line and 15 inside the 10, which was third best in the NFL.
In other NFL news, the Philadelphia Eagles continued their frenzied attack on the free agent market by agreeing to terms with running back Ronnie Brown on a one-year deal.
Brown, drafted second overall by the Dolphins in 2005, has amassed 4,815 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns as well as 1,491 receiving yards though has had trouble avoiding injury. In six seasons in Miami, Brown has played in all 16 games just twice.
"Ronnie is an all-around running back with a versatile skill set," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement. "He can run the ball, catch it, and does very well in pass protection."
Brown rushed for 734 yards on 200 carries and gained 242 yards on 33 pass receptions last season.
Last week, the Eagles signed prized cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive linemen Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin and quarterback Vince Young and traded for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
The Dolphins traded for former New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush last week, and also took running back Daniel Thomas from Kansas State in the second round of the draft.
The Seattle Seahawks signed a pair of free agents on Tuesday, one on offense and the other on defense.
Seattle agreed to terms with tight end Zach Miller, who made the Pro Bowl last season with 60 receptions and five touchdowns with Oakland, and defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson, who played last year with New Orleans.
(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Frank Pingue)
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