The New Orleans Saints placed kicker Martin Gramatica on injured reserve and re-signed sixth-round draft pick Taylor Mehlhaff.

Jack Dempsey / Associated Press

New Orleans Saints kicker Martin Gramatica looks back at the goal posts after missing a field goal during fourth quarter in Denver.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis confirmed the moves Wednesday.

Gramatica, who had been kicking with a sore groin, has missed four field goals in the past three games. All of the misses, one of which was blocked and returned for a touchdown by Minnesota on Monday night, proved critical in close losses to Denver and the Vikings.

Gramatica, signed by the Saints late last season, beat out Mehlhaff in training camp and was 8-of-8 on field goals before the Saints' 34-32 loss at Denver in Week 3, when the first two of Gramatica's four recent misses took place.

Mehlhaff, a rookie from of Wisconsin, has yet to attempt a regular season kick in the NFL.

During the preseason, Mehlhaff made two of his three field goal attempts and all four of his point-after attempts.

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