Report: Saints Sign Kicker to Practice Squad

READ: An injury has prompted the Saints to add insurance at kicker, per report.

Nick Underhill of Neworleans.football is reporting on Tuesday that the New Orleans Saints are adding K Austin Seibert to their practice squad. The move comes after the Saints hosted several kickers in a tryout on Tuesday afternoon, also first reported by Underhill. 

Saints K Blake Grupe converted five of six field goals in last week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but missed a 54-yard attempt with 30 seconds remaining. He was also treated for a groin injury late last week. It was this, rather than performance, that prompted New Orleans to look at other kickers.

An undrafted rookie from Notre Dame, Grupe beat out accomplished veteran Wil Lutz in training camp. Lutz was traded to the Denver Broncos before the start of the season.

Grupe has converted all 19 of his extra point attempts but is just 80% on field goal tries (24 of 30). He is 12 of 13 between 20-39 yards, 7 of 9 between 40-49, and 5 of 8 from beyond 50 yards. Lutz has hit 92.3% of his field goals (24 of 26) for the Broncos.

Sep 18, 2022; Detroit Lions place kicker Austin Seibert (19) attempts a field goal against Washington. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports

Seibert, 27, was a fifth-round choice in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma by the Cleveland Browns. He has an 80.4% career field goal percentage, converting 45 of 56 attempts. He's a perfect 26 for 26 between 20-39 yards, 17 of 24 between 40-49, but just 2 of 6 beyond 50.

Seibert's only full season was as a rookie in 2019 with Cleveland. Since then he's had stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions last year, and one game for the New York Jets this season. 

The 5-6 Saints host the 8-3 Detroit Lions this Sunday. New Orleans will have their first official injury report of the week tomorrow. Seibert is only expected to play if Grupe reaggravated his groin injury.