Rob Chudzinski has said that it is "disappointing" for the Cleveland Browns to lose Brian Hoyer for the rest of the 2013 NFL season.

The quarterback, who had replaced Brandon Weeden as the team's starter, tore his anterior cruciate ligament early on against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday.

The head coach told reporters: "He did a great job stepping in and really showing what he could do with his opportunity. It was huge for us. This is disappointing.

"He was a big reason why we won those couple of games, but not the only reason. That's how we look at it. Brandon I think stepped in and took over and really, the guys rallied around him.

"I don't think there was any intention there. Brian was sliding and as he was sliding there was the contact. That was just an unfortunate thing. I think he just got caught up."

Hoyer joined the Browns during the off-season following his release from the Arizona Cardinals.