Matthew Emmons/US Presswire
Jeremy Kapinos punting for the Steelers.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- While it was a promising sign for the Patriots that punter Zoltan Mesko was present at practice Wednesday, there remains uncertainty over his status for Sunday's game at Buffalo. Mesko didn't run with teammates at the start of practice, instead staying on the exercise bike, and was limited in his overall participation.
With this in mind, the Patriots had free-agent punters Matt Dodge and Jeremy Kapinos in for workouts, according to a source.
Dodge, a seventh-round draft choice of the Giants in 2010 out of East Carolina, punted in all 16 games last season in New York. He lost a competition to veteran Steve Weatherford in training camp this year (link here). Dodge is a right-footed punter, which would be a change for the Patriots.
Kapinos has spent time with the Jets (2007), Packers (2008-2009), Colts (2010) and Steelers (2010). A four-year veteran out of Penn State, he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Jets. A left-footed punter, which seems to be a Patriots preference, Kapinos was with the Steelers in training camp this year.
Mesko hurt his left knee in the third quarter of Sunday's win over the Chargers when Patriots safety James Ihedigbo -- blocking on a punt -- was pushed back into him. Mesko didn't punt again, but returned to hold for an extra point.