Patriots left tackle Nate Solder (torn biceps) placed on injured reserve

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- TheNew England Patriotsplaced starting left tackle Nate Solder on injured reserve with a torn biceps Wednesday, ending his season.

Solder was injured late in the second quarter of Sunday's 30-6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, taking himself off the field after Tyrone Crawford registered an 8-yard sack of quarterback Tom Brady. Solder had jumped into the air after Crawford rushed past him, as his right arm appeared to be extended in a compromising position.

This is the first major injury for Solder since he joined the Patriots as a first-round draft choice in 2011. He has played in every game but one over that span.

The only Patriots player (offensive or defensive) who has played more snaps than Solder since that 2011 season (4,242) is Brady (4,648).

Five-year veteran Marcus Cannon is the Patriots' top backup, as he replaced Solder on Sunday and was lauded afterward by coach Bill Belichick for his performance, as well as during his weekly news conference Wednesday.

"Marcus has always played well for us," Belichick said. "Two years ago when he was in for (right tackle Sebastian) Vollmer, last year the opportunities that he had early in the year, particularly at tackle, and then this year he's played in every game, played a number of snaps in all of our games, so he's always done a good job for us when he's been in there. I'm glad we have him."

The Patriots also could consider flipping veteran Vollmer to the left side and inserting Cannon at right tackle.

The Patriots have two offensive tackles on the practice squad, Blaine Clausell and Cameron Fleming, in addition to interior offensive lineman Chris Barker. One of those players could be in line for a promotion to the 53-man roster to account for depth.

The reported Solder loss is a significant one for the Patriots, who watched Brady get sacked five times in the first half of Sunday's win against Dallas.

No New England offensive line combination has played more than 25 percent of the team's offensive snaps together this season. Some 44 percent of the Patriots' offensive line snaps have been by rookies, the most in the NFL. The Patriots also have used 11 offensive line combinations this year, tied for most in the NFL.

ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this report.