Nick Kaczur Placed On Season-Ending Injured Reserve List

To make room for the reacquisition of Deion Branch, OL Nick Kaczur has been placed on the injured reserve list, ending his 2010-11 season. The Patriots made the announcement via a release early Tuesday afternoon. 

Kaczur, suffering from a back injury, missed all four preseason games, as well as the four regular season games to start the year. 

Back in late August, he underwent back surgery to relieve pain in Kaczur's back caused by "a bulging disk hitting a nerve," and it was feared then that his season was in jeopardy. 

Kaczur was drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. 

Bill Belichick: 'I Don't Think [Nick Kaczur] Will Be Available In The Immediate Future'

Over the weekend, a report surfaced via the Herald that Patriots tackle-converted-to-guard Nick Kaczur would miss the 2010 season after undergoing back surgery. On Monday, coach Bill Belichick address Kaczur's future as only he can:

"I don't think he'll be available in the immediate future, but we'll see how that goes," Belichick said. "I'm not sure exactly how long that will or won't be."

Kaczur, expected to play in place of guard Logan Mankins, has not practiced since injuring his back in practice on Jul. 30.

Nick Kaczur Reportedly Underwent Back Surgery, Putting 2010 Season In Serious Jeopardy

Nick Kaczur reportedly underwent surgery on his ailing back at some point in the last 10 days, and he now faces the very real possibility of missing the entire 2010 season, according to Ian Rapoport at the Boston Herald. 

According to Rapoport, the procedure was to relieve pain in Kaczur's back caused by "a bulging disk hitting a nerve."

Kaczur, expected to be the replacement for Logan Mankins should the guard continue to not report to the team, suffered the injury on the second day of camp and has been out since. Mike Reiss reported two weeks ago that Kaczur had a "significant back injury that could sideline him indefinitely, potentially threaten his season," so the news of surgery is not too surprising.

There has been no official word from the Patriots as of yet; Rapoport says they are hoping the pain in Kaczur's back lessens. But the "two sources close to the situation ... seriously believe" his 2010 season is over.

Faced with the possibility of no Mankins or Kaczur, on Sunday, the Patriots traded for offensive guard/tackle Quinn Ojinaka from the Falcons in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick.

Ojinaka was a fifth round pick out of Syracuse in 2006.  He's played in 39 career games, having started 12.  Last season, he started several games at guard, but also plays a lot of tackle.  At 6'5", 299 lbs, Ojinaka has good athleticism.   While he isn't the strongest, he plays with a nasty streak.  He was part of a logjam along the offensive line in Atlanta.

Kaczur has been New England's starting right tackle for the past five seasons before shifting to guard this summer. If he can't play, Dan Connolly will take his place, essentially then filling in for Mankins.

For Mankins, who remains at home over a contract dispute, this could be the bit of leverage he needs to collect more money from the team.