Patriots' Seau on injured reserve

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The New England Patriots placed linebacker Junior Seau on injured reserve Monday after he seriously injured his right arm in Sunday's 17-13 with over the Chicago Bears. The 12-time Pro Bowl selection will miss the rest of the season after coming out of a brief retirement to join the Patriots this summer. Seau was hurt with less than nine minutes left in the second quarter, apparently when his right arm hit the back of Cedric Benson's foot when he tackled the Chicago running back for no gain at the Bears 25-yard line. Seau's arm bent at an awkward angle, and he went to the ground in obvious pain. The 17-year veteran walked off after a few minutes, waving to cheering fans with his left hand while a trainer held his right arm still. Coach Bill Belichick did not say Monday whether Seau's arm was broken, and the team gave no details of the injury. Seau played 13 seasons with San Diego and the last three with Miami. He announced his retirement in August and ended it four days later. Belichick said Monday he had no more information to add to the announcement that Seau was placed on injured reserve. After the injury, outside linebacker Mike Vrabel moved to Seau's inside spot and Tully Banta-Cain entered the game to play right outside linebacker. Belichick said Seau was "unselfish, team-oriented" and even gave an emotional pre-game speech Sunday. "He worked very hard to kind of change his style of play a little bit" when he joined the Patriots, Belichick said. "He's done a real good job for us." Seau began the game with 69 tackles, one less than team leader Tedy Bruschi. His tackle on Benson was his only one Sunday.