Stapleton to be placed on injured reserve

Pittsburgh Steelers guard Darnell Stapleton will be placed on injured reserve and will miss the entire 2009 season.......

Stapleton under-went arthoscopic knee surgery a week into training camp and was hopeful to return to practice this week and be ready by week 1.

He will not require any additional surgery on his injured knee.

Stapleton started 15 games at right guard for the Steelers last season. Trai Essex will open the season as the Steelers starting right guard.

According to the official NFL injured reserve rules, once a player is placed on the I.R. list, he is unable to return to play until the end of his team's current schedule. Furthermore, he may not practice with his team until the conclusion of that season.