FOXBORO - The prodigal punter returns.

Ken Walter figured his career was over when he filed retirement papers last year. He hadn’t punted full time since 2003, when he won his second Super Bowl ring with the Patriots before being replaced by Josh Miller.

But Walter came full circle yesterday when the Patriots placed Miller on injured reserve, ending his season with what they described as a shoulder injury.

“I’d be stupid to say it didn’t catch me on my heels a little bit,” Walter admitted. “I was busting my butt at home trying to get back into this thing. I worked out for a couple of other teams last week, did well, and knew I was high on their list. I thought something would happen there. This came as a total surprise.”

But the Patriots struck first, and now Walter returns to the scene of some of his greatest triumphs - like holding a pair of Super Bowl-winning field goals for Adam Vinatieri - as well as his biggest disappointments. He was briefly ousted in 2003 for ineffectiveness before being re-signed that season because of his prowess as a holder.

Those skills undoubtedly played a role in his latest return. The Patriots are still breaking in rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski, and having a steady hand on holds should aid his development.

“Kenny has a good amount of experience with us, and part of the decision with Kenny is as much about the holding as it is the punting,” head coach Bill Belichick said. “He’s as good a holder as we’ve had here.”

Walter considers himself a changed man as a result of his last stint with the Patriots.

“Are you kidding me? Those were the best times of my life,” he said. “They made me a better man, a better husband, a better father. They made me a better football player, bottom line. I talked to people when I went to Seattle and told them it doesn’t get any better than this.”

The highs were high, but the lows were brutal. Walter was the only player booed on 2003’s 14-2 squad, but he learned from the experience.

“It made me thick-skinned, being able to handle that situation, being able to handle this, being able to handle yourself, period,” Walter said. “It makes you a tougher person. There’s no other way to say it. When you have to come in and watch yourself on film, deal with a situation, it makes you tough, whether you want to accept it or not.”

The man he replaces endured many trials of his own. Miller started the season on fire, but appeared to injure himself against Cincinnati in Week 4 and was never the same. The Patriots officially ended his season with a shoulder injury, though he’s believed to be battling leg woes as well.

“Obviously it’s very disappointing for him and all of us,” Belichick said. “He’s very professional, worked hard. He’s a team-oriented guy. It’s tough to make the move at this time of the year, but unfortunately that’s what it came to with Josh. He just wasn’t able to perform effectively.”

So back came Walter, who hadn’t played since appearing in six games for the Seahawks in 2004. The hang-time specialist underwent shoulder surgery and hadn’t been heard from until this week.

“Bill and I know each other, we’ve known each other for a long time,” Walter said. “He doesn’t have to say much. When we’re in a situation with a live field goal, I know what I have to do. I’ve been in this situation in the clutch a lot. Whether it’s Adam, Joe Nedney, John Kasay or Josh Brown, all the kickers I’ve held for have done well, and that’s something I take a lot of pride in.”