Kansas City, Mo. ? The Kansas City Chiefs released punter Steve Cheek on Tuesday and signed Nick Murphy, who played in three games for Baltimore this year.

Murphy is the third punter the Chiefs have had this season. Jason Baker, their punter last season, was released right before the start of the year, and Cheek was signed after playing in only one exhibition game.

Murphy, who led the NFL Europe League this spring with a 41-yard average, worked out for Kansas City last week, but Cheek was kept for Sunday’s game against Denver. Asked why Murphy was not signed then, Vermeil said, “He just didn’t have a great day punting.”

Vermeil, who was the first NFL assistant to carry the title special-teams coach, has had trouble with kickers.

“(It’s) because they come and work for me,” Vermeil said. “I never have real good luck with punters.”

Cheek had a net average of 31.6 yards per kick and had difficulty in the Chiefs’ 45-17 victory over the Broncos on Sunday.

“Steve just didn’t punt well in the game Sunday, and I ran out of patience,” Vermeil said.

“Sooner or later you’ve got to start punting the ball well and consistently. He was fighting. He has a good leg, but he couldn’t do it consistently. Sunday was a low for him. He just ran out of time.”

Murphy had a 36.6-yard net for the Ravens this year, with six inside the 20-yard line and two touchbacks. He entered the league as a rookie free agent with Minnesota in 2002.

The Chiefs (6-8) will play host Saturday to Oakland, hoping to extend their winning streak to four games.

Vermeil said running back Derrick Blaylock worked out Tuesday, but that Larry Johnson, who has gone over 100 yards the past three games, would start.