The Minnesota Vikings placed defensive tackle Shamar Stephen on injured reserve Tuesday and signed free-agent defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis to replace him on the active roster.

A seventh-round pick last year out of Connecticut, Stephen had 23 tackles as a rookie. He injured his knee in training camp, ultimately finishing the 2015 season with three tackles and a fumble recovery in five games.

Ellis, a third-round draft pick by the New York Jets in 2011, was with the Giants before being released on Oct. 3. He was active for one game this season. He’s started five games in his career, recording 31 tackles and one sack. Ellis was a two-time All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection at Hampton (Va.).