Flowery Branch, GA (Betting Express) - Atlanta Falcons safety Keion Carpenter was placed on injured reserve Thursday, ending his season before it started.

Carpenter tore his anterior cruciate ligament in workout drills last week and underwent surgery on Tuesday, performed by Dr. James Andrews.

"It's not a good thing, but he'll make the best of it," Falcons coach Jim Mora said after practice on Wednesday. "That's the type of person he is."

The five-year veteran began the 2003 campaign as the starter, but lost his job midway through an unproductive season.

Carpenter started all 16 games in 2002, intercepting four passes with a career- high 47 tackles, but suffered a serious neck injury in a Divisional Playoff loss to Philadelphia on January 11, 2003.