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The New England Patriots started the season without versatile running back Patrick Pass, and they'll end it the same way.

Pass

The seven-year veteran, who appeared in only three games in 2006, has been placed on injured reserve with a recurring hamstring problem. Pass finished a frustrating season with just six carries for 21 yards and two receptions for 24 yards. He also had one tackle on special teams.

Relegated to the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for much of the season because of a foot injury, Pass was finally activated to the team's 53-man roster last month, and expected to be a key contributor in the playoff stretch run. But the hamstring injury cut into his practice and playing time, and he became the 12th New England player to go onto the injured reserve list since the start of the season.

The loss of Pass further weakens a running back corps already wobbly because of the uncertainty concerning the condition of rookie Laurence Maroney. The Pats' second-leading rusher, Maroney missed last week's game with a back injury and is listed as questionable for this weekend.

Pass, 28, is a veteran whose versatility is highly regarded by the New England coaching staff, and his ability to fill diverse roles will be missed.

The former University of Georgia standout, a seventh-round choice in the 2000 draft, has appeared in 78 games and started 11 contests during his NFL tenure. He has played tailback, fullback, lined up as a wide receiver in the slot, returned kickoffs and played on the kick coverage teams. His size (5-feet-10, 217 pounds) gave the Patriots a tough, inside runner in short-yardage situations and he is also a very good blocker.

Pass has carried 128 times for 526 yards and three touchdowns and has 66 receptions for 570 yards and one score. He has returned 36 kickoffs for a 20.7-yard average and has nearly 41 special teams tackles.

In another roster move, one which suggests that starting tight end Benjamin Watson might not play in this week's home game against Houston because of a leg injury, the Patriots signed free agent O.J. Santiago. A seven-year veteran, Santiago hasn't played in a regular-season game since 2003 and has just 22 receptions and two touchdowns since 2000.

Santiago, 32, entered the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons in 1997 and has either played for or been in camp with seven teams. The former Kent State standout has appeared in 78 games and has 81 career catches for 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns. The New England offense favors a lot of two-tight end sets, and the addition of Santiago, despite a flimsy resume in recent years, offers some insurance.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len's chat archive, click here .