New Orleans Saints cut veteran kicker John Carney, stick with kicker Garrett Hartley

The New Orleans Saints apparently won't carry two kickers into the playoffs, as they've done for much of this year. The team announced Tuesday afternoon it has cut veteran kicker John Carney.

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That's a sign the Saints are committed to sticking with Garrett Hartley, who reclaimed the kicking job for the 12th game of the season. Hartley had been suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's policy by taking a stimulant that he said was to keep him awake during a long drive.

Carney, 45 and a 21-year NFL veteran, was signed by the Saints when they became aware of Hartley's suspension. Carney handled kicking duties in the first 11 games. He made 13 of 17 field goals and 50 of 52 extra points. Carney also played with the Saints from 2001 through 2006 and is the second-leading scorer in franchise history with 750 points.

The Saints also signed fullback Kyle Eckel, who was with the team earlier this season, and safety Herana-Daze Jones. Eckel played in five games for the Saints earlier this year and was used primarily as a blocker and on special teams. Jones had previously played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos.

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