Saints Weigh Kicker Options Before Browns Game
New Orleans will evaluate Dan Carlson and Charlie Smyth ahead of Sunday's matchup with Cleveland.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
The New Orleans Saints will decide between kickers Dan Carlson and Charlie Smyth before Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Carlson has been the team's first choice this season, but his inconsistent form has opened the door for Smyth to return to the playing roster.
Why it matters
The Saints have won two of seven games this season, so the kicking position carries direct weight in close contests. Carlson's uneven accuracy has made the decision a live question heading into the weekend.
Carlson has connected on 66% of his 12 field goal attempts this season and 16 of 18 extra points, while Smyth went 12 of 16 on field goals as a starter last season. The final kicker choice will depend on sessions that have not yet been reported.
The players
Dan Carlson
Dan Carlson is a 31-year-old kicker who has served as the New Orleans Saints' first-choice kicker this season.
Charlie Smyth
Charlie Smyth is a former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in County Down who made his NFL debut last season.
Kellen Moore
Kellen Moore is the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, overseeing the team's evaluation of its kicking options.
The details
Head coach Kellen Moore said the coaching staff will evaluate the field goal situation and its opportunities, with kicking sessions planned throughout the week to determine the starter. Carlson, 31, has been the first-choice kicker this season, and his only perfect game came in September against the Baltimore Ravens.
Timeline
November 2026: Smyth made his NFL debut last season.
September 2026: Carlson recorded his only perfect game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sunday, November 8, 2026: Saints play the Cleveland Browns, with the kicker starter to be determined before kickoff.
Season Trajectory
The kicker decision arrives as the Saints sit at two wins from seven games, making every field goal attempt consequential for a team trying to climb the standings. Smyth's prior-season debut gives him a documented track record that now positions him as a possible return option.
Fantasy managers rostering Carlson or Smyth should watch the starter announcement before lineup locks, since the kicker decision will determine scoring potential for Sunday. The choice also affects how many scoring chances the Saints can convert in a game they need to win.
The takeaway
Kicker competitions often turn on consistency in routine attempts as much as on long-range accuracy, and the Saints' decision will show which factor the coaching staff values most. Readers tracking the team should watch the Sunday starter announcement.
What happens next
The Saints will finalize their starting kicker after this week's kicking sessions, ahead of the Sunday game against the Cleveland Browns.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Football coverage in New Orleans.
