Sep 9, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions punter Ben Graham (2) leaves the field during the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

The calf injury Ben Graham suffered against the Titans on Sunday will cost the Lions’ punter the rest of his season as the team placed him on the injured reserve list today. Jason Hanson filled in for Graham during the game but it will be Nick Harris that assumes the duties for the rest of the year.

The return of Nick Harris was something I speculated on during training camp. Harris was released by the Carolina Panthers at a time when neither Ben Graham nor Ryan Donahue had done much to inspire confidence in their battle for the job.

Dave Birkett points out the ironic nature of the last two year’s worth of Lions roster moves at punter:

Your NFL circle of life: Lions release Nick Harris in favor of Ryan Donahue, Donahue hurt, sign Ben Graham. Graham gets hurt, sign Harris

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 25, 2012

Harris punted for the Lions from 2003 to 2010. He was with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season but was without a team in 2012 until today.

Jacksonville Jaguars punter Nick Harris (2) before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

The Detroit Lions still have a battle going on for their punting job with Ben Graham and Ryan Donahue both surviving the first round of cuts.

Neither has been able to separate from the other this preseason as both men have had a mixed bag of results. With neither man rising to the occasion, it stands to reason that the Lions might be interested in looking to see what else is available. It just so happens a familiar name became available today.

Former Lions punter Nick Harris was cut by the Carolina Panthers today.

Harris was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier in April when the team drafted Bryan Anger. Jacksonville used a third round pick to acquire Anger and Harris was never given an opportunity to compete for the job he held in 2011. Harris finished last season with the same punting average as Ryan Donahue despite getting beat out by Donahue for the Lions punting duties during the team’s 2011 training camp.

Adding Harris to the mix this late might be a recipe for disaster but he is already familiar with the team, most importantly working as a holder for Jason Hanson, and the coaching staff. It might be the Lions’ best bet if neither of the two men currently on the roster can’t show a little consistency before the regular season begins.

January 7, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions punter Ben Graham (2) against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

A starting job with the Detroit Lions is up for grabs and there doesn’t appear to be a clear favorite. No, I’m not talking about at safety, I’m talking about the battle between Ryan Donahue and Ben Graham at punter.

This much is clear, only one man will make the team. The other will likely have to wait until some other team’s punter suffer’s an injury or gives up a big punt return after an ill-advised kick.

So, will it be Ryan Donahue or Ben Graham that wins the gig?

Here’s another question: does it really matter?

Astute football fans recognize the benefits of a great punter. Some of the game’s best, Shane Lechler for example, can drastically change his team’s field position fortune with a powerful sweep of his leg. Unfortunately for the Lions, neither of their options is on par with Shane Lechler.

Ryan Donahue beat out Nick Harris a year ago to win the Lions punting duties but suffered an injury that cut his season short after eight games. He punted 49 times for an average of 42.7 yards per punt, including 13 that landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and four that went for touchbacks.

Ben Graham took over the Lions punting duties last season after a disastrous one game experiment with Robert Malone. Graham averaged 44.1 yards on his 28 punts in seven games with 10 landing inside the 20-yard line and three going for touchbacks.

Graham is regarded as the better bet to pin an opponent deep based on his rugby style punting but he’s had a few punts get turned into big returns by the opposition this preseason. Donahue is generally the better “hangtime” punter but he had his fair share of moments of inconsistency. Each man’s performance for the Lions last year leaves little to distinguish one from the other. That being the case, does it matter who wins the job?