FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – Benjamin Watson’s rookie year with the New England Patriots started late and ended early when the tight end was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a knee injury.

Watson, who signed Aug. 16 after an 18-day holdout, and Kellen Winslow Jr. were the only tight ends drafted in the first round. Both are on injured reserve and will miss the entire season. To replace Watson, the Patriots signed tight end Jed Weaver, who has played with Philadelphia, Miami and San Francisco.

Winslow, chosen by Cleveland with the sixth pick, had five receptions in two games before breaking his right leg and undergoing surgery. Watson started and had two catches for 16 yards in a season-opening 27-24 win over Indianapolis and was inactive for the second game at Arizona.

Watson, 23, played at Georgia, and, after signing with the Patriots, quickly impressed his coaches with his ability to learn plays, catch and block. He formed a strong tight-end group with Daniel Graham, a first-round pick in 2002, and Christian Fauria.

During the exhibition season, Watson led the team with 10 catches for 114 yards and one touchdown. Graham has been outstanding in the regular season with three scoring catches and excellent blocking.

Weaver, 28, is coming off the best of his six NFL seasons when he caught 35 passes for 437 yards and started 15 games in his only year with San Francisco. In his career, he’s played 80 games with 80 catches for 997 yards and six touchdowns.

He was a seventh-round draft choice by Philadelphia in 1999 and started 10 games as a rookie. He spent the next three seasons at Miami, starting 11 games, before going to the 49ers. Denver signed him as an unrestricted free agent last March 19 and released him Sept. 5.

AP-ES-09-29-04 1830EDT