New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced Monday that the team has placed defensive end Charles Grant on the reserve/injured list due to a triceps injury, ending the season for the seven-year veteran. In a related transaction the Saints have re-signed veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas.

Grant was drafted by the club in the first round in 2002 and has anchored the left side of the defensive line since taking over as the starting left defensive end in 2003. In 102 career regular season games, the 6-3, 285-pound lineman has started 90 contests and recorded 41½ sacks, 452 tackles, 13 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and an interception.

"Charles has played a key role for our team since we drafted him six years ago," Loomis said. "This is obviously a loss for our defense, but injuries are a part of our league and it presents an opportunity for other players to step up and answer the call."

The 30-year-old defender had played in all but two career games since coming into the league, having been sidelined for two weeks in 2007 with an ankle sprain. Grant ranks 10th in club history in sacks and the former University of Georgia standout is tied for the team-lead through the first half of the 2008 season with three quarterback takedowns among his 41 tackles.

Thomas is a 13-year NFL veteran who first came to the Saints via trade with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 2006 season. In two seasons in New Orleans, Thomas has started 26 of the 28 games he has played in and recorded 107 tackles with 6½ sacks and a fumble recovery. The six-foot, 335-pound defensive tackle suffered a torn right triceps muscle during a training camp practice.