Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel said today that linebacker Antwan Peek will miss the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon during Wednesday’s practice.

Peek, who started five games for the Browns last season, is a versatile player who can line up at both outside linebacker and defensive end. He is having knee surgery today.

It’s not clear exactly what Peek was doing when he got hurt Wednesday, but Crennel described it as a “freak” injury. This isn’t the first time a Browns player has ruptured his patellar tendon during a summer practice; LeCharles Bentley suffered a ruptured patellar tendon at the start of training camp in 2006 and still hasn’t played as a result of that injury and a subsequent staph infection.

Crennel said the Browns will re-sign linebacker Shantee Orr, who was waived last week, to fill Peek’s roster spot, and that Orr and rookie seventh-round draft pick Alex Hall will both be called upon to get more playing time in Peek’s absence.