Saints Keep Kicker Daniel Carlson Active Despite Poor Numbers

The New Orleans Saints have decided against signing an outside kicker this week, leaving Daniel Carlson's position with the team uncertain but his active roster status intact. Head coach Keleln Moore stated the organization will continue to evaluate Carlson while preparing for Sunday's matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Moore did not confirm whether an open competition will occur in practice, though he acknowledged the team has options. Charlie Smyth, who served as the team's kicker last season, remains on the practice squad. The coach described the situation as a process the staff must work through to find the best solution for the upcoming game.

Carlson, who joined the Saints in August, has faced difficulties throughout the 2026 season. He has missed at least one field goal or extra point in every contest he has played. His performance metrics place him near the bottom of the league among qualified kickers.

The 29-year-old has converted 8 of 12 field goal attempts, resulting in a 66.7% success rate. That figure ranks third-worst in the NFL. He has also missed two of 18 extra point attempts, giving him an 88.9% conversion rate. That statistic ranks fifth-worst among his peers.

"We'll see how this goes. Again, we'll, we'll have some kicking sessions through this week and we'll see where we're at," Moore said. The team will conduct additional kicking drills during the week to assess Carlson's form before finalizing their plans for Sunday.

The Saints have not announced a final decision on whether Carlson will handle all kicks or share duties with Smyth. The evaluation period extends through the remainder of the practice week, with the outcome dependent on the results of those sessions.