FOXBOROUGH -- With Ken Walter already added to the roster Wednesday, the Patriots moved punter Josh Miller to injured reserve yesterday, officially ending his season.

But it wasn't just Walter's punting -- which was questionable at times during his final season in New England in 2003 -- that brought him back from his one-year exile from the NFL, it was his experience and skill at holding for kicks . Having a rookie kicker, Stephen Gostkowski, highlighted the need to bring in someone with the ability to place the ball consistently, which pointed New England in the direction of Walter, who is coming off shoulder surgery.

"Obviously it's disappointing for him and all of us," coach Bill Belichick said of the end of Miller's season. "He's very professional, worked hard. I think he's a very team-oriented guy. But, that being said, Kenny has a good amount of experience with us, and I think part of the decision with Kenny is as much about the holding as it is the punting. It's a job that both those guys have done for us in the past.

"I have a lot of confidence in Kenny. He has a lot of experience, he's been in big games. So you hate to make that move at this time of year, but unfortunately that's what it came to with Josh. He just wasn't able to perform effectively."

The Patriots signed Walter despite having undrafted free agent Danny Baugher on their practice squad.

Patriots fans will remember that during his last stint in Foxborough, Walter was cut for a week, replaced by Brooks Barnard, before being re-signed to finish the season.

"It made me a better man, a better father, a better husband, a better football player, bottom line," said Walter, who has had four surgeries in his career. "You've got to take the good and the bad. I had a lot of good and there was some bad in there, too. You [can't] let it affect you. I don't know anything else right now. I'm not ready to take that step after football yet.

"Put the blinders on and move forward."