Saints cut veteran kicker Hartley

The New Orleans Saint released kicker Garrett Hartley on Tuesday, two days after he had one field goal blocked and hooked another wide in a 27-16 loss at St. Louis.

Hartley has been with the Saints since the middle of the 2008 season and made several crucial kicks during the Saints' 2009-10 run to a Super Bowl championship. However, his career has been up-and-down since, and he has been particularly erratic this season, missing eight of 29 kicks inside 50 yards.

The Saints have not announced the move or released a statement, but the move was posted on the NFL's transaction wire Tuesday afternoon. New Orleans also has waived veteran cornerback Chris Carr.

There was no announcement on who would replace Hartley for Sunday's game at Carolina.

Around the league

Broncos • Denver signed defensive end Jeremy Mincey, who was released by Jacksonville after a falling-out with management last week. Mincey reunites with Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, who was his head coach with the Jaguars earlier in his career, and with Broncos run-stuffer Terrance Knighton, whom he played alongside for several seasons in Jacksonville. To make room, the Broncos waived center J.D. Walton, who hasn't played this season after suffering a setback last summer in his return from ankle surgery.

Steelers • Pittsburgh placed linebacker LaMarr Woodley on injured reserve with his second significant calf injury of the season. Woodley left Sunday's 30-20 win over Cincinnati after straining his right calf. Pittsburgh signed linebacker Jamaal Westerman to take Woodley's roster spot. Westerman was cut by Buffalo last week.

Lions • Coach Jim Schwartz isn't interested in talking about his job security. The Lions (7-7) blew another late lead and lost at home Monday night to Baltimore, 18-16, and they may miss the playoffs after losing four of their last five games. Detroit needs to win its final two games and hope for a combination of losses by Chicago and Green Bay to secure a playoff berth. If job security is on Schwartz's mind, it didn't show on Tuesday. "I don't think it does any good for me or my team to keep focusing on that," he said.

The New York Giants come to town Sunday for the Lions' home finale, and Detroit finishes the season Dec. 29 at Minnesota.

Bengals • Punter Kevin Huber is scheduled for surgery Friday for the broken jaw he suffered Sunday during a loss to Pittsburgh. Cincinnati (9-5) held tryouts for five punters on Tuesday and signed Shawn Powell, who was released by Buffalo on Oct. 4. Week 16 schedule

Sunday, Dec. 22

Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 11 a.m.

Indianapolis at Kansas City, 11 a.m.

Denver at Houston, 11 a.m., Ch. 2

Miami at Buffalo, 11 a.m.

New Orleans at Carolina, 11 a.m.

Dallas at Washington, 11 a.m.

Cleveland at N.Y. Jets, 11 a.m.

Minnesota at Cincinnati, 11 a.m.

Tennessee at Jacksonville, 11 a.m.

Arizona at Seattle, 2:05 p.m., Ch. 13

N.Y. Giants at Detroit, 2:05 p.m.

Oakland at San Diego, 4225 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Green Bay, 2:25 p.m.

New England at Baltimore, 2:25 p.m., Ch. 2

Chicago at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m., Ch. 5

Monday, Dec. 23

Atlanta at San Francisco, 6:40 p.m., ESPN