Steelers punters battling for one job

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Daniel Sepulveda was minding his own business, chowing down on his pregame meal before the Pittsburgh Steelers played at Washington two weeks ago when he looked up at the television screen.

“They’re saying Coach [Mike] Tomlin has 22 returning starters and the only competition battle is at punter and I’m saying, ‘Alright, sounds good,”’ Sepulveda said with a laugh.

It says something about the stability on the defending AFC champions and Sepulveda’s own injury-riddled career that the battle to keep his job is among the top storylines heading into tonight’s preseason game against Atlanta.

Sepulveda is in the midst of the first real test of his career, at least the first one that didn’t involve the trainer’s room. Jeremy Kapinos, who filled in late last season after Sepulveda tore the ACL in his right knee for a third time, is auditioning for the full-time gig.

The two have kicked to a virtual dead heat so far, their numbers nearly identical. Sepulveda is averaging 46.6 yards on five punts, with Kapinos averaging 48.6 yards on five punts.

Drawing clear for either player has been difficult, which puts the two in an unusual situation. They may be the only players on the team who don’t want the Steelers to score on every possession. At least in the preseason anyway.

“In the regular season when you don’t punt, that’s great,” Sepulveda said. “In the preseason when you don’t punt, it’s no fun.”

Neither is rehabilitating a troublesome right knee for the third time in eight years.

Sepulveda feels as good as he’s felt at any point in his career and credits Kapinos for keeping him focused and stirring the competitive juices. Though they’re up for the same job, they’ve forged a friendship.