SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers say they will place inside linebacker Stephen Cooper on season-ending injured reserve on Wednesday with a biceps injury.
Cooper was hurt in a preseason game on Aug. 21. Coach Norv Turner originally said Cooper would have surgery, but he ended up playing in the first five games.
To take his roster spot, the Chargers signed inside linebacker Gerald Hayes to a one-year contract. Hayes spent his first eight seasons in Arizona.
The Chargers (4-1) have their bye this weekend.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.