The erratic punter returns after having been released on Dec. 2.
By The Associated Press

FOXBORO, Mass. – The New England Patriots have re-signed punter Ken Walter one week after he was released following one of the worst performances of his career.

Coach Bill Belichick said the move might not be final, even for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville.

The move has nothing to do with Walter’s longtime job as a holder for kicker Adam Vinatieri, Belichick said, adding that Walter may have benefited from a few days away from the team.

“Sometimes when you are pressing to … do some skill, sometimes you maybe tend to overanalyze it or think about too many things instead of just letting it flow,” Belichick said.

Walter, 31, was cut on Dec. 2, two days after averaging 27.3 yards on three kicks in a 38-34 win at Indianapolis, his second-worst game with the Patriots.

At the time, he ranked last in the NFL with an average of 37.9 yards per kick.

The Patriots signed Brooks Barnard to replace Walter, but he was released after he punted 10 times for a 36.5 yard average in last Sunday’s game in the snow against Miami.

On Wednesday, the Patriots signed punter Travis Dorsch to their practice squad. Dorsch was the fourth-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002 but appeared in only one game before being released.