Rams waive kicker Joshua Karty, who lost his job to Harrison Mevis
Rams kicker Joshua Karty has been waived after early-season problems led to the team signing Harrison Mevis, who won a competition for the job.(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)With kicker Harrison Mevis solidifying their special teams, the Rams on Friday waived Joshua Karty.
Karty, a 2024 sixth-round draft pick, had several kicks blocked early in the season, including one that led to a last-second touchdown by the Philadelphia Eagles. He made 10 of 15 field-goal attempts and 23 of 26 extra-point attempts.
It was just exclusively a numbers thing," coach Sean McVay said. It's just hard to keep two kickers."
McVay said that if Karty clears waivers, the Rams would like to sign him to the practice squad.
The Rams have of late been shuffling their roster, putting tight end Tyler Higbee, offensive lineman Rob Havenstein and safety Quentin Lake on injured reserve, bringing receiver Tutu Atwell and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon back from injured reserve, and signing players such as tight end Nick Vannett and cornerback Derion Kendrick.
Mevis has kicked the last three games. He made 40- and 52-yard field goals in last Sunday's 34-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has made all six extra-point attempts.
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The Rams also appear to be benefiting from experienced snapper Jake McQuaide, who replaced Alex Ward.
I'm a lot happier as head coach when we're kicking extra points, and not field goals," McVay said of the place-kicking operation that includes holder Ethan Evans, but I've been pleased."
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.