MINNEAPOLIS -- Cleveland Browns linebacker Jamir Miller was carted off the field after tearing his right Achilles tendon in a 27-15 preseason victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night.

	Miller

The team was not immediately certain how long Miller would be sidelined, but head coach Butch Davis said it would be "significant.''

"Right now, I don't know what the severity is,'' Davis said.

Miller, the first Browns player to be selected to the Pro Bowl since the team returned to Cleveland in 1999, landed awkwardly after being blocked into Brant Boyer on Moe Williams' 4-yard touchdown run on Minnesota's opening possession. Miller stayed on the ground for several minutes before being carted off the field.

"He ain't coming back,'' cornerback Corey Fuller said.

"Everybody's going to have to do a little more to make it happen,'' strong safety Robert Griffith said.

Miller, a nine-year veteran, had 114 tackles, an AFC-leading 13 sacks and one interception last season. He was the first Browns player to lead the conference in sacks since it became an official stat in 1982.

"My heart goes out to the guy because he works so hard,'' Griffith said. "It's a tough situation for us.''

Miller was seeking a new contract with the Browns following last season. The team had been working with Miller's agent on an incentives package that would increase the linebacker's salary by $1 million.

Davis designed Cleveland's defense around Miller, who more than doubled his previous career high in sacks. Miller started 14 games at strong side linebacker last season, but started two at right defensive end when the Browns lost several players late in the year to injuries.

Miller was in his fourth year with the Browns, who signed him as an unrestricted free agent in 1999. He played five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before joining the expansion Browns in `99.

"We have three preseason games to try to find an answer,'' Davis said. "We will start tomorrow. We will look internally at the guys we've got, what shuffles we might be able to make, what will be the best combination of the three best linebackers.''