The Kansas City Chiefs have placed quarterback Matt Cassel on injured reserve with a hand injury, ending his season. Cassel had surgery on his right throwing hand Nov. 14 after being injured one day earlier in a 17-10 loss to Denver.

He was placed on IR shortly before Monday night’s game against the New England Patriots. Kansas City Chiefs JerseysHis absence made Tyler Palko, who had thrown 13 NFL passes, the first-stringer with rookie Ricky Stanzi the backup.

The teams met for the first time since Sept. 7, 2008 when Cassel, then with the Patriots, came in after Tom Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter.