Jared Gaither's injury-plagued 2012 season officially came to an end on Friday, with the San Diego Chargers placing the brittle offensive tackle on injured reserve.

Gaither had appeared in just four of San Diego's first 10 games due to two separate ailments. The seven-year veteran was sidelined for the first three contests due to a back problem that also kept him out all of training camp, then injured his groin during a loss at New Orleans in Week 5.

He missed the following week's matchup against Denver before returning after a subsequent bye to make two more starts, but has sat out the last two weeks after experiencing a setback.

A third-round pick of Baltimore in the 2007 supplemental draft, Gaither was claimed off waivers by San Diego last November after being let go by the Kansas City Chiefs and started the season's final five games at left tackle. The Chargers re-signed the Maryland product to a four-year contract in March.

Gaither also missed the entire 2010 season while with Baltimore due to a back injury.