NFL hopefuls Charlie Smyth and Jude McAtamney awaiting roster decisions

Down's Charlie Smyth and Derry's Jude McAtamney will receive more clarity on their NFL futures as Tuesday's new season roster cut deadline races into view.

The Ulster pair will be hoping to make the final 53 regular season selection for the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants respectively, although that appears unlikely for both.

That wouldn't necessarily rule them out of competition this year with a number of other options possible following Tuesday's 10pm Irish time deadline.

Smyth, who was hampered by a groin injury in the Saints' final pre-season game, and McAtamney could be released, which would allow them to be claimed by another NFL team within a 24-hour window, or be traded.

Failing that, they could be re-signed by their current teams as part of their practice squads with players from the international player programme receiving an exemption that allows those teams to have an extra spot on that roster. They could then be elevated for three NFL games a season.

Players can also be re-signed to practice squads without the exemption being exercised, allowing them more freedom between the main and practice rosters.

Smyth made headlines as he kicked a winning 37-yard field goal, his first ever American football in-game attempt, to give the Saints a winning start to pre-season against the Arizona Cardinals.

However, Blake Grupe has been the preferred option for the majority of pre-season and again took all field goal attempts in the defeat to the Tennesse Titans on Sunday.

Head coach Dennis Allen revealed afterwards that Smyth was suffering a groin issue coming into the game, with the Mayobridge man only kicking a late touchback.

McAtamney, meanwhile, nailed both field goal attempts as his Giants side lost out to the New York