The New Orleans Saints aren’t messing around. They just announced a double-whammy roster move, shaking things up by releasing kicker Daniel Carlson and claiming running back Audric Estime off waivers. This kind of action signals a clear intent, especially in the regular season.
Carlson’s Kicking Woes Hit a Wall
Carlson, in his first season with the Saints, just wasn’t cutting it. He only hit 8-of-12 field goals across seven games. You can’t have that kind of inconsistency when every point matters. The real killer? All four of those misses came on attempts from 50 yards or more. We’re talking big-time kicks that can completely swing a game.
Remember that brutal 52-yard miss in the fourth quarter of their Week 7 loss to the Steelers in Paris? Yeah, that one hurt. It was a critical moment, and it was clear something had to give. Now, Irish kicker Charlie Smyth, who saw action in six games for them last year, is sitting on the practice squad. Could this be his moment to step up?
Audric Estime Returns to New Orleans
While one player is out, another is back in the fold. Audric Estime, the running back, is making his return to New Orleans after Cleveland let him go on Monday. This isn’t his first rodeo with the Saints, either. He was with them midway through last season before an injury settlement saw him waived in September.
After that, Estime popped up on the Vikings’ practice squad and then got signed to the Browns’ 53-man roster just last month. He actually made an impact in his lone game for Cleveland, rushing for 19 yards on nine carries and scoring a touchdown in their October 18 win over the Ravens. Now he’s back, adding another option to their backfield and hopefully bringing that same kind of spark.
These are the kinds of moves teams make when they need a spark and can’t afford continued missed opportunities. Carlson’s inconsistent leg was a liability, especially from long range, and bringing back Estime adds depth to the offense. It’s a clear signal from New Orleans that they’re not content to stand pat. They want production, and they’re making aggressive moves to find it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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