Saints put kicker on IR

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Saints announced Wednesday they had placed kicker Martin Gramatica on injured reserve, thus ending his season.

Gramatica had been hampered by a sore groin muscle during the first five games of the season. He made just 6 of 10 field goal attempts -- two misses being crucial ones in a loss to Minnesota Monday.

He has also kicked for Tampa Bay, Indianapolis and Dallas and has made 155 of 203 field goal attempts in his career.

New Orleans drafted University of Wisconsin kicker Taylor Mehlhaff in the sixth round this year, but had cut him from the roster prior to the start of the season. The Saints re-signed Mehlhaff Wednesday.