Smyth and McAtamney to join NFL practice squads

Charlie Smyth and Jude McAtamney have been in action for the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants in recent weeks

Charlie Smyth and Jude McAtamney have been retained by the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants and will start the season on the NFL teams' practice squads.

While neither of the former gaelic footballers made the initial 53-man rosters that will begin the regular season next week, it is understood both have cleared waivers and remain on the books of their original teams in a pool of players that will continue to train and are on hand should injuries occur.

Former Down Gaelic football goalkeeper Smyth came through the NFL's international player pathway (IPP) programme and signed a three-year-deal with the Saints in March.

Earlier this month, he kicked a 37-yard field goal in the final seconds to help the Saints beat the Arizona Cardinals 16-14 in a pre-season contest.

That was to be his only attempt of the pre-season, however, with head coach Dennis Allen stating he had been struggling with a groin injury in the final days of training camp.

He was beaten to the Saints' kicker spot by Blake Grupe, who will be their starter for a second season in succession.

Unlike Smyth, former Derry Under-20s Gaelic footballer McAtamney played college football in America, turning out for Rutgers, before signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent.

Despite impressing in last weekend's pre-season defeat by the New York Jets, kicking two field goals from 23 and 43 yards, he lost out in the race for the starter's berth to the Scottish-born Graham Gano, 37.

The IPP programme was launched in 2017 but, from this season, allows teams to carry an extra player not from the United States or Canada on their practice squad.