Charlie Smyth and Jude McAtamney have suffered setbacks in their quests to play in the NFL after failing to make their respective teams’ 53-man rosters for the upcoming regular season.
Smyth has been released by the New Orleans Saints while McAtamney has not secured a first-team spot with the New York Giants.
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, Smyth 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.
However, he was beaten to the Saints’ kicker spot by Blake Grupe, who is retained as New Orleans’ starter in the position.
Smyth could yet be added to the Saints’ practice squad or could be signed by another team.
Former Derry Under-20s gaelic footballer McAtamney is in the same position after missing out at the Giants despite impressing in last weekend’s pre-season defeat by the New York Jets, kicking two field goals from 23 and 43 yards.