Charlie Smyth: Kicker to make NFL home debut for New Orleans Saints

NFL rules say a player can be elevated three times from the practice squad before they must be made a permanent fixture in a team’s 53-man roster.

That means that if Smyth impresses against the Panthers, the Saints would need to sign him before selecting him for a fourth match.

Smyth earned his opportunity after regular kicker Blake Grupe was waived by the Saints, and he came through a competition against veteran Cade York to earn his shot at the NFL.

Moore said that both players will be “ready to go”, but “we feel good about Charlie”.

“This is a great opportunity for him. Resiliency? Facing adversity? Perfect,” he said.

“He gets to have a game where he missed one and he will get to respond the way he needs to.”

Former Down GAA goalkeeper Smyth had been a member of Saints’ practice squad as part of the NFL’s international player pathway programme after signing his first contract in March 2024.

He is only the third placekicker from the island of Ireland to feature in a regular NFL game, after Neil O’Donoghue between 1977 and 1985 and Jude McAtamney in each of the past two seasons.