Former Penn State player Jeremy Kapinos signed with the Green Bay Packers after a round of tryouts. A 6-foot-1, 230-pound first-year punter, Kapinos spent time with the New York Jets in 2007.
He'll replace Derrick Frost, who was released on Monday after the Packers had seen enough of his inconsistent performance in games.
But with the weather turning foul in Green Bay and a game against Houston coming up at Lambeau Field on Sunday, can the Packers really count on a new punter being able to play?
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said they don't have a choice.
"I want him to punt the ball in the right direction," McCarthy said. "I'm expected to win games. He's expected to punt the ball in the right direction."
Then, McCarthy added, "I'm not trying to be funny."
The Packers' punting game hasn't provided too many laughs through the first 12 games.
Frost, signed when the team cut Jon Ryan just before the season opener, performed well in practices but couldn't carry it over to games. Kapinos will try to improve on Frost's punting performance. But he won't be asked to take over Frost's duties as the holder for placekicker Mason Crosby, a duty that will fall to backup quarterback Matt Flynn.
Running back Ryan Grant practiced with a splint on his sprained thumb.
"He looked OK," McCarthy said. "We weren't in pads. He went through the ball security drills, had a chance to watch him go through that. He looked to be better than he was on Sunday."
Grant hurt his thumb in the loss to Carolina, and wasn't allowed to return because coaches were worried about his ability to hold onto the ball.
Backup Brandon Jackson gained 80 yards on 11 carries, strengthening his bid for increased playing time. Jackson was limited in Wednesday's practice with a quadriceps injury but is expected to practice later in the week.