In an unsurprising development, the Seattle Seahawks placed defensive end Patrick Kerney on injured reserve yesterday. Kerney, the team’s sack leader with five, hasn’t played since Week 8’s victory against the 49ers because of a shoulder injury.

Kerney had exploratory surgery two weeks ago to see if he’d reinjured the labrum he hurt in last year’s playoffs. He hadn’t but neither treatment nor rehab was helping him recover and the decision was made to shut him down for the rest of the season. In addition to the five sacks, Kerney had 21 tackles and two forced fumbles this season.

Kerney has three years left on the six-year contract he signed as a free agent in 2007. The Seahawks claimed undrafted rookie defensive end Brandon Miller off waivers from Atlanta yesterday. Lawrence Jackson and Darryl Tapp have been starting in Kerney’s absence.