The New Orleans Saints have placed right tackle Charles Brown on injured reserve with a hip flexor that will cause him to miss the rest of the regular season.
He suffered the injury during last Sunday's loss to the St. Louis Rams.
Brown, a second-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, started all eight games at right tackle this season.
Zach Strief returned to practice on Wednesday and is expected to start this Sunday at right tackle against Tampa Bay. The 28-year-old has missed the past five games with a sprained knee.
To add depth on the offensive line, the Saints signed veteran tackle Ray Willis. The 29-year-old spent six seasons with the Seahawks, and started 26 games at right tackle and guard before missing all of last season with a knee injury.
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