CLEVELAND — Montario Hardesty’s first preseason in the NFL lasted seven carries and 25 yards.

For the Browns, that was one carry too many.

Hardesty, Cleveland’s rookie running back, left the preseason finale in the second quarter Thursday night with a left knee injury and didn’t return. He was on crutches in the locker room afterward and said he wouldn’t know the extent of the injury until after an MRI today.

“I’m hoping whatever it is, it’s done as fast as possible,” Hardesty said. “I’m praying for the best.”

James Davis, in his second year, replaced Hardesty and took advantage of the opportunity. He totaled 119 yards rushing and receiving, and the Browns beat the Bears 13-10 on a 36-yard Phil Dawson field goal as time expired.

Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy shook off a fumbled snap on the first play to go 13-for-13 for 131 yards in a little more than a half. It was a positive finish to what had been a dismal preseason.

The final score doesn’t matter. Neither does the Browns’ 2-2 record in the exhibition season.

The game was about Hardesty, McCoy and the players on the bubble. Twenty-two players must be cut by Saturday at 6 p.m.

Coach Eric Mangini rested the majority of his starters to avoid injury, but the Browns decided Hardesty should get his feet wet before the season. He had only practiced three times, with hardly any contact, after missing training camp and the first three preseason games with a bone bruise in his right knee.

Mangini was worried about elevating his workload so quickly in a game, but discussed it with president Mike Holmgren.

“It’s a tough decision,” Mangini said. “You want to make sure he’s prepared to play in the opener (Sept. 12 in Tampa Bay). You’re also concerned about the volume of work he’s been able to have to that point.

“We decided it was his last opportunity to get that work. We thought it was the best idea to do that.”

A second knee injury in a little more than a month is especially alarming considering the long injury history Hardesty brought from the University of Tennessee. He had three knee surgeries, including one to repair a torn right anterior cruciate ligament in 2005.

Midway through the second quarter, he gained 2 yards on a run off left guard. He took off his helmet and sat on the field for a couple of minutes. He walked to the sideline, was worked on by medical staff on the trainer’s table, then walked with a trainer to the locker room.

He had three 6-yard carries, including one to the 1-yard line in which he powered for extra yardage with his back to the end zone. He showed good vision and balance, and squeezed in from a yard out on the next play.

“Being on the field, it felt comfortable. It felt like football again,” Hardesty said. “I’m discouraged about this now, but I’m not going to keep my head down. I’ll be back.”

McCoy’s night couldn’t have started much worse. Or finished much better.

He got the start, but fumbled the first snap from fellow rookie Shawn Lauvao, who had spent most of the preseason at right guard. The Bears recovered and scored three plays later for a 7-0 lead.

Todd Collins found tight end Greg Olsen, who put a nice move on defensive back DeAngelo Smith and was wide open.

McCoy recovered to lead two scoring drives and an efficient two-minute drill at the end of the first half that ended with a missed Dawson field goal from 58 yards. The kick was plenty long but wide left.

McCoy finished the preseason 28-for-39 (72 percent) for 232 yards, two interceptions, two lost fumbles, six sacks and a 65.3 rating. He will return to the sideline and assume the role of No. 3 quarterback behind Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace.

“I have a lot of confidence moving forward,” said McCoy, who got X-rays on his left hand after it was stepped on early. He didn’t think there was any significant damage. “I’ve still got a long way to go.”

Quarterback Brett Ratliff will likely be cut Saturday, but he goes out a winner. Smith blocked a punt with 2:18 left, and Ratliff led a 34-yard drive with a couple of completions to 37-year-old Bobby Engram and a sneak for a first down.

Dawson saved everyone from overtime by nailing the 36-yarder.

Veteran inside linebacker Eric Barton rested with the rest of the starters, while veteran David Bowens started and played into the second half. On the surface that would indicate Barton had made the team, while Bowens was in trouble, as he said Monday.

But Bowens is also working his way back from a knee injury and needed the playing time to get in game shape. He had four tackles, two quarterback hits and a half-sack and remains squarely on the bubble.

Davis likely secured a roster spot. He carried 15 times for 66 yards (4.4 average), including a 19-yarder that was a shoestring tackle away from an 80-yard touchdown. He added five catches for 53 yards.

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler didn’t play and was replaced by Collins, the veteran who was making his Bears debut after signing recently. Collins went 10-for-15 for 139 yards, a touchdown, a sack and a 118.5 rating.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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