Can Hadrat Mohammad(saw) have sent blessings on himself during prayer?

Question: Can Hadrat Mohammad(saw) have invoked blessings (darood-e-ibrahim) on himself during prayer, or is it a later addition?

Answer: Rasool-Allah Hadrat Mohammad(saw) taught us how to perform prayers exactly the way that he was inspired to teach us. And, not only we, but also Allah and the angels send blessings on him. As you will note in the following verses of the Quran, the Arabic words used are yusalee and yusaloona. In darood, we are using the same word sallay to invoke Allah’s blessings on our dear Prophet.
Surah Ahzab (Chapter 73)
43 هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَائِكَتُهُ لِيُخْرِجَكُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۚ وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا
Transliteration 43: Huwa allathee yusallee AAalaykum wamalaikatuhu liyukhrijakum mina alththulumati ila alnnoori wakana bialmumineena raheeman
Yusuf Ali 43: He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers.
Shakir 43: He it is Who sends His blessings on you, and (so do) His angels, that He may bring you forth out of utter darkness into the light; and He is Merciful to the believers.
Pickthal 43: He it is Who blesseth you, and His angels (bless you), that He may bring you forth from darkness unto light; and He is ever Merciful to the believers.
M. Khan 43: He it is Who sends Salat (His blessings) on you, and His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive you), that He may bring you out from darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of Belief and Islamic Monotheism). And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.

56 إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Transliteration 56: Inna Allaha wamalaikatahu yusalloona AAala alnnabiyyi ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo salloo AAalayhi wasallimoo tasleeman
Yusuf Ali 56: Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.
Shakir 56: Surely Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who believe! call for (Divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (becoming) salutation.
Pickthal 56: Lo! Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation.
M. Khan 56: Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) on the Prophet (Muhammad SAW) and also His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salat on (ask Allah to bless) him (Muhammad SAW), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. AsSalamu Alaikum).