The New Orleans Saints have made a pair of decisions that are sure to draw attention. Ahead of their first practice day of Week 9, the team announced two roster moves that fans and observers had been calling for.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Saints announced that they had terminated the contract of kicker Daniel Carlson and claimed running back Audric Estime off waivers.
The move away from Carlson represents a clear display of accountability. The Saints signed the veteran kicker this offseason, hoping to find some consistency at the position. The team has struggled to find a reliable replacement since trading Wil Lutz to the Denver Broncos after the 2022 season.
However, Carlson’s tenure in the Big Easy didn’t pan out the way the team had hoped. Through seven games, he made 66.7% of his field goal attempts, which ranked at the bottom of the NFL among employed kickers, tied with San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.
With Carlson now cut, the team will likely turn back to Irish kicker Charlie Smyth, who made 75% of his kicking attempts for the team last year in a similar situation when the team moved on from former kicker Blake Grupe.
In a corresponding move, the Saints also added Estime, who was a surprise release from injured reserve with an injury settlement early in the season, back to the roster.
Estime was recently with the Cleveland Browns, who the Saints will face in Week 9.
Last year, Estime led the team with 4.3 yards per carry. The Saints only have one running back presently averaging over four yards per carry this year, free-agent addition Travis Etienne Jr., who could be set to come off injured reserve soon.
Estime would give the team another physical and athletic back who could contribute in the run game and pass protection.
The Saints’ rushing attack is set to be under a microscope moving forward after the firing of run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti. Estime’s return could be a step in the right direction for the team.
His signing also raises questions ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. Among those rumored to be drawing interest from other teams, two are in the running back room. Backs Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara have been the subject of trade rumors. Estime’s return to New Orleans doesn’t necessarily mean the Saints plan to trade another player. However, it gives the team more flexibility to entertain offers.
