Montario Hardesty is getting the first-team reps at OTAs.

Trent Richardson is nursing a shin injury and may not even be ready for camp. Considering T-Rich's injury history, Hardesty is shaping up as a must-own handcuff. He averaged 4.16 YPC and scored one touchdown on 65 carries last season. The Browns have one of the game's best offensive lines.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer says the new coaching staff is "spending a lot of time" evaluating Montario Hardesty.

Hardesty is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is set to earn $575,000. The Browns are reportedly looking for a change-of-pace back behind Trent Richardson, and it remains to be seen if Hardesty can be that guy. Impending free agent Brandon Jackson isn't expected back, and Chris Ogbonnaya is a restricted free agent.

Starting in place of an injured Trent Richardson, Montario Hardesty rushed 14 times for just 37 yards at Pittsburgh in Week 17.

Hardesty showed impressive burst on a 16-yard first quarter scamper but was bottled up by a stout run Steelers front seven the rest of the way. Richardson's change-of-pace back posted 303 yards on 65 carries (4.66 YPC) in the best season of his three-year career. Under contract for $575,000, Hardesty will likely be back in the same role under a new coaching staff.

Montario Hardesty will start at running back on Sunday against the Steelers with Trent Richardson (ankle) ruled out.

Hardesty is in line to get a heavy dose of carries with Thad Lewis starting at quarterback in place of Brandon Weeden (shoulder). Brandon Jackson will work in as the change-of-pace back behind Hardesty. For those fantasy leagues that run through Week 17, Hardesty would be a decent pick-up as he's surely to see a full slate of work.

Montario Hardesty rushed three times for 14 yards in Cleveland's Week 16 loss to the Broncos, adding one catch for seven yards.

Montario Hardesty rushed just two times for five yards in the Browns' Week 15 loss to the Redskins.

Trent Richardson continues to plod his way through the second half of the season, but the Browns have no intention of lightening the rookie's workload. Hardesty is nothing more than a handcuff heading into next week's game at Denver.

Montario Hardesty rushed ten times for 52 yards in the Browns' Week 14 win over Kansas City.

Hardesty's run of the game came on a 25-yard fourth-quarter gain after a nice cutback. Hardesty looked more fluid in the open field than we've seen him appear to be in previous seasons, providing a strong change-of-pace complement to Trent Richardson. Hardesty remains unworthy of a fantasy roster spot as the Browns enter the final three games of their season.

Montario Hardesty (knee) is listed as "probable" for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Montario Hardesty (knee) was limited in Browns practice for the second straight day Thursday.

Montario Hardesty (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

With Trent Richardson (ribs) banged up, Cleveland is exercising caution with his backup. The Browns are almost certainly trying to limit Hardesty's reps after his increased workload over the last two weeks.