Nick Kaczur suffered an injury in training camp, but Bill Belichick and the Patriots were hopeful he'd be able to make a return at some point this season. Those hopes died on Tuesday, however, when the offensive lineman was placed on injured reserve.
The team made the announcement in a release announcing the trade for receiver Deion Branch.
Kaczur, 31, had effectively lost his job at right tackle to Sebastian Vollmer last year, but he was expected to fill the void of Logan Mankins at left guard. Instead, Dan Connolly has filled in rather well, making the loss of Kaczur more bearable for the team.
The preseason injury was to Kaczur's back, and he underwent surgery. Belichick said the team would keep a roster spot open for Kaczur in the event he could return to the field, but the arrival of Branch means there's simply no room left to try to wait it out.
Kaczur played in 68 games from 2005-09, starting 62 of them. He filled in for the injured Matt Light at left tackle for 13 games in the 2005 season, his rookie year.
