In a move that has been hinted at for weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers changed place kickers on Thursday, signing rookie free agent Jeff Reed and placing slumping veteran Todd Peterson on injured reserve.

The coaching staff opted for Reed, who played collegiately at the University of North Carolina and was in the New Orleans Saints camp this summer, over a number of better-known candidates who auditioned for the job. The task of replacing Peterson was made a bit easier by the fact the eight-year pro sustained a broken rib last Sunday trying to make a tackle on a kickoff.

Peterson, 32, has struggled, particularly in recent weeks, and it has hardly been a secret that coach Bill Cowher was becoming increasingly frustrated with the kicker's performance. Cowher acknowledged after Sunday's loss at Tennessee that a change likely was imminent. The move to injured reserve, by rule, ends Peterson's season but it remains to be seen if it ends his tenure with the Steelers.

In 10 games, Peterson converted just 12 of 21 field goal attempts, and his nine misses led the league. He hit on 25 of 26 extra point tries and scored a team-high 61 points. Increasingly, though, Cowher was losing confidence and the coaches were forced to adjust their play-calling because they were not sure Peterson could convert makeable kicks.

The Steelers signed Peterson to a four-year, $3.975 million contract this summer after allowing Kris Brown to move on to the Houston Texans as a restricted free agent. Peterson had previously kicked for Arizona (1994), Seattle (1995-99) and Kansas City (2000-2001).

For his career, he has converted 182 of 234 field goal attempts and 258 of 260 extra points.

Reed, 23, was one of three kickers in the Saints camp this summer but was released during the preseason. The former Tarheels standout has worked out for five other teams during the regular season.

Although he never kicked at the college level before the 2000 season, Reed quickly became one of the top placement specialists in the country. A former walk-on, who eventually earned a scholarship, Reed connected on 28 of 36 field goals and 66 of 67 extra points in two college seasons.

With a spate of injuries at linebacker, the Steelers also signed free agent Mike Jones on Tuesday, creating a roster spot for the 12th-year veteran by releasing tight end/deep snapper Dan O'Leary. Jones was with Pittsburgh in 2001 but was released this spring and spent some time this season with the Oakland Raiders.

Jones is best known for his crucial tackle of Tennessee wide receiver Kevin Dyson at the one-yard line in the St. Louis Rams' victory in the Super Bowl three years ago.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.