The season has again ended early for Richie Brockel. The Carolina Panthers tight end/fullback was placed on injured reserve Friday with a hamstring injury.

After recovering from a preseason shoulder injury, Brockel was active for just two games this season. Last year, he played just four games before he went on IR with an ankle injury.

The Panthers have never seen Brockel as a key piece on offense, but he did have a vital role on special teams, playing all four phases. Tight end Scott Simonson got a call up from the practice squad to fill Brockel's roster spot.

Simonson played 21 snaps in four games with the Raiders last year as an undrafted rookie out of Assumption College. After signing with the Panthers in June, he caught six passes for 50 yards in the preseason.