It'll be a new kicker trying field goals and extra points for the New Orleans Saints when they match up with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The team announced Tuesday that they terminated their contract with Daniel Carlson, removing him from the 53-man roster to make room for running back Audric Estime, who they claimed off of waivers from the same Browns team they're about to compete against.
Carlson, 31, signed with the Saints at the end of the preseason after the team cycled through kickers all summer long. But he struggled on field goals (hitting 8 of 12), extra points (making 16 of 18), and kickoffs (drawing two penalties for placing kicks inside the landing zone). He was tied for the worst field goal success rate among all active kickers.
Change was needed.
We'll see if Carlson is done in New Orleans or simply being bumped down to the practice squad. The Saints have had Charlie Smyth on the practice squad all season after he turned in a respectable performance last year and competed for the job throughout training camp, so you'd think he's the next man up. At the same time, it wouldn't hurt to sign another kicker to the practice squad to push him this week. Whether they bring back Carlson for one more shot or sign a veteran like former Miami Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson, someone should be brought in to keep pressure on Smyth.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: New Orleans Saints will have a new kicker in Week 9 against the Browns
