The former Down GAA goalkeeper has been elevated to the active roster for the Saints ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Miami Dolphins
Charlie Smyth is set to make his regular-season NFL debut for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday after being elevated to their active roster for their clash against the Miami Dolphins.
It comes after the Saints cut kicker Blake Grupe following two missed kicks against the Atlanta Falcons .
Coach Kellen Moore then effectively had Smyth go head-to-head with Cade York in practice during the week after the Saints added the veteran kicker to their practice squad after axing Grupe.
Smyth’s call-up suggests Moore is prepared to give the former Down goalkeeper his big break having signed with the Saints in March 2024.
The Mayobridge native has played in pre-season games and scored two field goals against the Jacksonville Jaguars in August. He also scored the winning field goal in a pre-season win over the Arizona Cardinals last year.
His debut comes with the Saints on nine loses from 11 games for the season. Grupe had a record of 18 from 26 kicks – the worst in the NFL.
Earlier this month, former Derry GAA prospect Jude McAtamney was cut by the New York Giants after missing two attempts for extra-points during a dramatic loss to the Denver Broncos.
While McAtamney played American Football at College level, Smyth will become the first player from a GAA background to transition directly to the NFL.
He impressed at the NFL combine having tried out with fellow GAA ’keepers Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson before earning a three-year deal with the Saints in 2024.
An Ulster U20 Championship winner with Down in 2021, Smyth could now make his NFL regular-season debut at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday evening (6pm).
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