National Football League

Patriots place sacks leader Andre Carter on IR

Published Dec. 20, 2011 6:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

The New England Patriots have placed defensive end Andre Carter on injured reserve.

Tuesday's move ends the season of the team's leader in sacks with 10 and sidelines a key player on a struggling defense. The Patriots have allowed the most yards in the NFL for nearly the entire season.

Carter started all 14 games. He injured his left quadriceps late in the first quarter of Sunday's 41-23 win over the Denver Broncos and was driven off the field on a cart. He had signed as a free agent Aug. 8 after five years with the San Francisco 49ers and five with the Washington Redskins.

The Patriots also signed defensive lineman Cedric McKinley to the practice squad. He spent part of this season on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.