The New England Patriots placed offensive tackle Nick Kaczur on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday, the team announced.
Kaczur suffered a serious back injury during the second day of training camp and never rejoined the team. He underwent back surgery in August.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Kaczur has spent most of his five NFL seasons as the Patriots' starting right tackle. In training camp, he shifted to left guard because starter Logan Mankins stayed out of camp in a contract dispute. Mankins is a restricted free agent and still hasn't reported.
In Kaczur's place, Dan Connolly has started at left guard and Sebastian Vollmer at right tackle.
Kaczur has started 62 of 68 regular-season games during his NFL career and also has started seven career playoff games. The Patriots drafted Kaczur in the third round in 2005 from Toledo.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
