Sealver Siliga to short-term IR, Pats sign DL Casey Walker

Sealver Siliga has been put on short-term IR (Damian Strohmeyer/AP)

After missing practice for four consecutive days following exiting Sunday's game with a foot injury, the Patriots placed DT Sealver Siliga on the IR Designated to Return. With this designation, Siliga can come back Week 12, which is a home game against the Detroit Lions, after the eight week mandatory injury reservation.

Siliga was able to get eight tackles, with a club on his arm, as a fringe starter at defensive tackle, playing alongside Vince Wilfork. His strength was interior run stopping, which was sorely needed the first few weeks, and something that will be missed going forward.

In order to fill the roster spot, the Patriots signed DL Casey Walker off of the Carolina Panthers practice squad. The 6'1", 340 lb, 24-year-old is a big bodied defensive tackle who can provide some meat in the middle of the defense line. With his size, he is bigger than Chris Jones (6'1" 309 lbs), Joe Vellano (6'2" 300 lbs), and Dominique Easley (6'2" 288 lbs).

Given that his addition happened so late in the week, I don't expect him to get much playing time this week, but he could be used sparingly on short yardage and goal line situations. Without Siliga, Wilfork may not leave the nose tackle position in the 3-4, at least until Walker is up to speed.

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