Bills CB Leodis McKelvin is the latest player to be placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. (US Presswire)

With the end of the season approaching, it's time for another Buffalo Bills tradition -- the rapidly expanding injured reserve list.

CB/KR Leodis McKelvin is the latest Bill to see his season end early after he was placed on injured reserve on Thursday. He’s the third Bills player placed on IR this week, joining WR Donald Jones (illness) and LB Arthur Moats (ankle), who were both shelved for the rest of the year on Tuesday. McKelvin has been dealing with a groin injury in recent weeks.

It’s a tough break for McKelvin, who was not only explosive on special teams, but was starting to turn it around on the defensive side of the ball.

McKelvin established a new Bills record with an NFL-best 18.74 yards per punt return this season. That average places him ninth all-time in NFL history for a single season and is the highest average by any punt returner since 1974 (Cincinnati’s Lemar Parrish, 18.78 yards per return). His career average of 16.33 yards per punt return is also a Bills record. He had two punt returns for touchdowns in 2012.

He also was dynamic as a kick returner. He averaged 28.33 yards per kick return, which is the third-best season ever by a Bill. He was also eighth in the NFL among returners with 10 or more attempts this year.

After losing his job as the team’s nickel corner after Week 1, McKelvin finally showed some progress at cornerback over the past month. The former 11th overall pick was a disappointment on defense for much of his career but made the most of his most recent opportunity.

It’s unclear if that improvement in play will result in a new contract in Buffalo. McKelvin is an unrestricted free agent this March, but the Bills have a need at CB. Rookie Stephon Gilmore is the team’s only established cornerback, making the position an area of need this offseason.

With an open roster spot, the Bills re-signed veteran LB Kirk Morrison. Morrison was released on Dec. 3 but returned due to injuries to backup LBs Arthur Moats (ankle) and Chris White (hand).

For more updates on the Bills, follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSBills and @MarkLud12.