The New Orleans Saints saw a trio of moves take place on Tuesday afternoon before beginning practices for their Week 3 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
One, a rare practice squad poaching of a surprising position.
The Saints saw fresh-signed long snapper Scott Daly poached from their practice squad by the Chicago Bears, signed another veteran long snapper, Cal Adomitis, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football and reached an injury settlement with running back Audric Estime, leading to his release from Injured Reserve.
The Saints have seen a larger number of moves at long snapper in the past week than they’ve experienced in years combined. First, incumbent long snapper and starter at the position since 2017, Zach Wood, was placed on Injured Reserve with a calf strain he suffered in practice.
The team then signed veteran Daly to its practice squad, elevating him for game day to serve in the team’s special teams operation. He apparently did so well that his former team, the Chicago Bears, chose to sign him from the Saints’ practice squad. A rare move because signing a player from another team’s practice squad comes with the requirement that they are added to the new team’s active roster.
Typically, long snappers aren’t in such demand. But the Bears appear to have been displeased with undrafted rookie Beau Gardner at the position, who has since been waived following the signing of Daly.
The signing of Adomitis allows the Saints to have their next option at long snapper for Week 3 against the Raiders. He was signed off of the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad, which means that he will be added directly to the active roster. If he stays there, it will eliminate the opportunity for the Saints to be poached again at the position.
This also means that a corresponding move is to be expected. That move is likely to be left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. being placed on Injured Reserve, as he is expected to miss extended time due to a serious ankle injury.
Adomitis has taken regular season snaps with the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles, but has also spent time with the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Estime becomes the third player with which the Saints have reached an injury settlement after being placed on Injured Reserve. This allows the Saints to pay out game checks for the number of weeks Estime was expected to miss with injury rather than his 2026 salary.
The third-year running back, who has impressed in New Orleans, now has a chance to continue his career elsewhere immediately. Or, three weeks after the settlement timeframe, he could re-sign with the Saints, though that is a rare circumstance.
