METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt says the club has placed rookie right tackle Bryce Harris on injured reserve, ending his season.
Harris made his first start against San Francisco on Sunday, but left in the first quarter with a broken bone in his right leg.
He played because regular starter Zach Strief was not ready to return from his left groin injury, and Strief's primary backup, Charles Brown, hurt his right knee a week earlier. Vitt declined to say whether Strief would return at Atlanta on Thursday night.
The Saints filled the open roster spot with tight end Michael Higgins from their practice squad.
Those missing Tuesday's practice included tight end David Thomas with a knee injury and defensive tackle Tom Johnson with a sore back.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press