The NCIS: Los Angeles family just became a little bigger. Kurt Yaeger will join the cast for the beginning of season 8 (at the very least), and his character might be inextricably linked to Kensi's tumultuous autumn.

Yaeger, who previously played Freddie Linn in a season 11 hour of NCIS, will join the LA team for a multi-episode arc this fall, this time in the role of Sullivan. A premiere threat will send the OSP team overseas in episode 2, and it appears the newbie will make his debut around the same time.

Following the team's trip abroad, Kensi (Daniela Ruah) will embark on her own eight-episode journey as the series covers for the actress' maternity leave. Ruah filmed for those episodes in early July, during which time Yaeger and Linda Hunt (Hetty) we're also on set.

"My pregnancy has brought on reasons to hide the pregnancy, which has then inspired a very particular storyline this season - at least in the first half of it, that's all I know - where something very drastic happens to the whole team," Ruah told EnStars. "Kensi is affected by that a little bit more, and that poses obstacles and a big long trajectory for Kensi and Deeks."

Yaeger has been tight lipped regarding his upcoming role, but it certainly sounds like his character will stick around as Kensi deals with the fallout from the opening episodes. As a below-the-knee amputee, there is speculation that Yaeger might play an injured soldier.

In the meantime, you can check out a photo from set!

Find out more when NCIS: LA returns this fall, Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Click the video belo to see a preview for the series' latest episode.

Tags: NCIS: LA NCIS: Los Angeles television CBS