FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots placed running back LeGarrette Blount on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday, and the defending Super Bowl champions again are looking for replacements in the backfield.

Blount has 703 yards on 165 carries with six touchdowns this season. He left Sunday’s game against Houston in the first half with a hip injury and did not return.

He joins Dion Lewis, who was injured against Washington on Nov. 8.

The Patriots added Montee Ball to the practice squad Tuesday, a week after bringing in Trey Williams, who has been signed, cut, signed and cut in nine days. Coach Bill Belichick wouldn’t comment on Wednesday on reports that the team was looking at Steven Jackson.