New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator Phil Galiano says Charlie Smyth’s future as a permanent member of the squad is “up in the air”.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore confirmed on Tuesday that the kicker will make his home NFL debut against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday (21:25 GMT).
Former Gaelic footballer Smyth is set to start his third successive NFL game after featuring in the defeat at the Miami Dolphins and last weekend’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
NFL rules say a player can be elevated three times from the practice squad before they must be made a permanent fixture in a team’s 53-man roster.
That means that if Smyth impresses against the Panthers, the Saints would need to sign him before selecting him for a fourth match, but Galiano would not be drawn to comment on the 24-year-old’s future.
“All of that is up in the air, our focus is on one game at a time and what we’re trying to do is go and win this game,” he said.
“Our hope is Charlie goes and kicks well and helps us win the game. I’m looking to treat it one game at a time, it’s the only way you can treat it, I don’t think it’s fair to other players if you’re trying to have a plan to see guys, we want to win every game that is our goal.”
