Holt to injured list, sign linebacker Dontarrious Thomas

The San Diego Chargers have placed linebacker James Holt on "Reserve-Injured" and signed veteran linebacker Dontarrious Thomas to take his place on the active roster.

Thomas (6-2, 241), in his sixth NFL season, originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2004. He has appeared in 63 games, including 10 starts, and has 47 career special teams tackles. Thomas spent four seasons in Minnesota before signing with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent in 2008. He was released at the conclusion of training camp and later returned to Minnesota for the final 10 games of the season.

This fall, Thomas played for the United Football League's California Redwoods. He was the team's leading tackler and finished third in the UFL in stops. Thomas has been a special teams contributor throughout his professional career. He will wear No. 57 for the Chargers.

Holt will undergo surgery on his shoulder after injuring it Sunday in San Diego's regular-season finale. Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in May, Holt spent the first seven weeks of the '09 season on the team's practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster prior to the Chargers' Week 9 victory over the Giants and had nine special teams tackles in nine games.