BEREA - Browns rookie defensive back Sean Jones tore a ligament in his left knee and will likely miss the entire season.

Jones was Cleveland's second-round pick out of Georgia and was expected to help the team immediately at the safety position and on special teams.

He tore the anterior cruciate ligament when he jumped to intercept the ball in practice Tuesday. As he planted his leg, wide receiver Dennis Northcutt dove into his knee. The Browns didn't report the injury until Thursday.

''It was an unfortunate and a freaky type of a deal,'' Browns coach Butch Davis said.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Jones is a hard-hitting safety who could have helped the Browns stop the run, something they were poor at a year ago.

Jones, who will have surgery June 22, said he has never had an injury this severe.

''It's pretty disappointing, but I just have to keep my spirits up,'' he said.

He said he is focused on rehabbing the knee and returning to help the team next year.

Unfortunately for the Browns, their season is starting off a lot like last year - with a major injury. Offensive lineman Ross Verba ruptured his right biceps in the final preseason game and the Browns never recovered.

Cleveland has an older secondary, particularly at safety, where Earl Little and Robert Griffith are the starters.

Little said Jones would have been a valuable backup, but they still have second-year defensive back Chris Crocker.

The Browns also have signed defensive back David Gibson who was with Tampa Bay last season.