Charlie Smith is set to start his first regular season game for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins after being promoted to the active roster.
The 24-year-old replaces Blake Gruppe, who was waived by the Saints after missing a pair of field goals during last week’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Saints added veteran kicker Cade York to their practice squad earlier this week, but Smith’s promotion shows he has won the battle to handle the kicking duties for Kellen Moore’s team.
The Mayobridge native participated in the pre-season for the Saints and kicked two field goals in a 17–17 tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars in August.
Former Downs goalie Smith was a member of the team’s practice squad as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
After impressing at the NFL Combine, he signed his first contract with the Saints in March 2024.
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