New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore says the team will evaluate kickers Daniel Carlson and Charlie Smyth before Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, with both players currently in contention for the starting role.
Carlson has been New Orleans’ first-choice kicker this season, but the 31-year-old has struggled for consistency. He has converted 66% of his 12 field-goal attempts and has made 16 of 18 extra-point attempts.
Smyth, a former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in County Down, made his NFL debut last season. He later returned to the practice squad after the Saints signed Carlson to begin the current campaign.
Carlson’s form could now create an opportunity for Smyth to return to the active roster. Moore said the coaching staff would assess the field-goal situation and the opportunities available before deciding on the best option for Sunday.
“We’ll have some kicking sessions throughout this week and we’ll see where we are at,” Moore said. He added that the Saints had not brought in any additional kickers, leaving Smyth and Carlson as the two players competing for the position.
Smyth made 12 of 16 field goals and all 13 of his extra-point attempts as a starter last season following his NFL debut in November. He had a mixed preseason, however, and Carlson won the competition to become the Saints’ starting kicker.
The Saints have won two of their first seven games this season. Carlson’s only perfect game this campaign came in September, when he converted three field goals against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sources: BBC Sport.