Patriots Reach Injury Settlement With Torry Holt

The Patriots reached an injury settlement with Torry Holt, whom they placed on the season-ending injured reserve list on Sunday. This makes him a free agent, meaning if he makes it back to playing shape, he can sign with another team if he chooses.

Holt is scheduled to undergo knee surgery this week.

Another option: a sign-and-retire deal with the Rams.

Torry Holt Placed On Injured Reserve, Ending His 2010 Season

Torry Holt's year has ended before it really had a chance to start. The Patriots placed the veteran wide receiver on the injured reserve list Sunday, ending his 2010 season. His agent reported that Holt will undergo surgery on his injured knee.

New England signed Holt to a one-year deal in April, as added insurance for Wes Welker and Brandon Tate, and was by no means a lock to make the Patriots' roster.

The bigger concern for Holt, who is 34 years old, is that this injury could mark the end of his career.

"Mainly, this is a tremendous disappointment for him," Holt's agent Kennard McGuire said.

"He looked at this like an outstanding chance to play for another great QB," McGuire continued, "and be coached by one of the all-time greats and was really looking to contribute significantly to the organization."

If the NFL has indeed seen the last of Holt, it is the end of what is quite possibly a Hall of Fame career.

In 11 seasons in the league, he amassed 920 receptions (11th all-time) for 13,382 yards (10th all-time). He also has 74 touchdowns in 173 games, most of which came with the Rams, with whom he played for from 1999-2008.

Holt was named to the Pro Bowl seven times, and in the 1999 season, won the Super Bowl with St. Louis. He spent the 2009 season with the Jaguars, hauling in 51 receptions in 15 games.