Browns return specialist Travis Benjamin tears knee ligament will miss remainder of season

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (80) breaks away from Kansas City Chiefs free safety Bradley McDougald (48) during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) (The Associated Press)

Browns speedy return specialist Travis Benjamin tore a knee ligament Sunday and will miss the remainder of the season.

Benjamin sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the 23-17 loss to unbeaten Kansas City. Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said Benjamin, one of the league's top punt returners, twisted his knee while planting and will need surgery.

The second-year wide receiver has been a major playmaker for the Browns. He returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown on Oct. 3, and his 86-yard kickoff return set up a TD for the Browns on Oct. 20 against Green Bay.

Chudzinski said wide receiver Davone Bell will handle punt return duties. After replacing Benjamin, Bess had a crucial fumble while trying to catch a punt on the run in the fourth quarter.