By Mike Wilkening
July 29, 2008

Daniel Sepulveda, the Steelers' strong-footed second-year punter, is out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee for the second time in a little more than two years. Sepulveda suffered a similar injury before his senior season at Baylor but was able to play as a senior after having surgery. Sepulveda is expected to be placed on injured reserve.

The 6-3, 230-pound Sepulveda posted a net punting average of 37.9 yards as a rookie, an impressive mark for a first-year punter. A left-footed punter, Sepulveda has one of the league's stronger legs, but he also displayed an ability to limit opposing return games. Only 31 of Sepulveda's 68 punts were returned in 2007.

The Steelers are likely to replace Sepulveda with former Lions, Browns and Broncos P Paul Ernster, whom they claimed off waivers from Detroit on Monday.

The PFW spin

This is no small loss for the Steelers, whose specialists (Sepulveda and PK Jeff Reed) were widely regarded by league insiders as the strongest components on the club's special teams. The Steelers' coverage units contributed to the playoff loss to Jacksonville by allowing a long Maurice Jones-Drew kickoff return after underdog Pittsburgh jumped out to a 7-0 lead, Also, the Steelers don't have a dynamic kickoff or punt returner but must play a pair of games against the Browns (whose returner, Joshua Cribbs, riddled the Steelers' coverage units last season) and Ravens (who have one of the league's fastest players, Yamon Figurs, returning kicks). The Steelers also have games against Houston, Jacksonville, San Diego, New England and Dallas, all clubs with dangerous returners and strong special-teams units overall.

The advantage the Steelers held on the upstart Browns had diminished significantly at the end of last season, and the injury to Sepulveda does not help Pittsburgh's cause in the least. Ernster does have 18 games of NFL experience to his credit, but he has not shown the all-around ability Sepulveda possesses.