Ahh, that's more like it. Having already been dealt considerable adversity in 2011, the Pittsburgh Steelers now must proceed in the second half of the season without their starting punter, Daniel Sepulveda, who was placed on Injured Reserve Saturday.
Jeremy Kapinos, who filled in adequately when Sepulveda was placed on IR last winter, was signed and will punt against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. Kapinos, a Penn State graduate, averaged 41.1 yards per punt in four regular season games last year for Pittsburgh; he was better in the playoffs, averaging just over 48 yards per boot on his eight punts. Kapinos competed well with Sepulveda this training camp and arguably was more deserving of the job this season based on his work this preseason.
Sepulveda has now been placed on IR for the third time in four seasons due to recurring issues with his right knee on the leg he plants on as a left-footed punter. Heading into Week 9, the former fourth round pick in 2007 ranked ninth in the AFC with a 46.1-yard average and eighth with a net average of 39.1 yards. Ed Bouchette reports that the Steelers said Sepulveda injured the knee during last week's practice.