John

Kasay

They have to decide whether to activate Jeff Chandler or not by 4 PM Saturday. Kasay looks unlikely to play.

“We’ll have to look at John (today) and see how his treatment went,” coach John Fox said. Don’t start any Carolina kickers.

A decision won’t be made about his status until the weekend, so we wouldn’t count on him as a fantasy kicker.

Kasay is said to be in pain. Carolina signed MacKenzie Hoambrecker as insurance.

He didn’t kick, though. It raises the old philosophical question: If a kicker practices without kicking, does anyone care but RotoWorld?

Kasay converted 28-of-34 field-goal attempts last season, but the 21-year veteran is likely returning only as a camp leg behind Garrett Hartley.

Garrett Hartley proved his health, which meant Kasay never had a chance. Hartley is 17 years younger and has four years left on his contract. He’ll be a strong fantasy kicking option for fantasy owners.

Fully recovered from last year’s hip injury, Hartley was “booting field goals with authority” in spring practices. The Saints have stayed with Hartley and his strong, accurate leg through several ups and downs. It’s hard to imagine the 42-year-old Kasay winning out unless Hartley gets a case of the “yips” in preseason action.

Kasay’s April re-signing was viewed as insurance after Hartley missed all of 2011 with a hip injury, but special teams coordinator Greg McMahon insists there will be an “open competition.” Our money is on Hartley, who is 17 years Kasay’s junior. The winner should be one of fantasy football’s most valuable kickers.

Veteran John Kasay was signed just in case Hartley wasn’t fully recovered from his 2011 hip injury. Hartley is 17 years younger, has four years left on his contract and has kicked well in practices, while Kasay has missed 2-of-4 preseason field goal attempts. Hartley is 1-for-1. The Superdome and the Saints’ explosive offense make Hartley a strong fantasy kicking option.