Rams Release Kicker Joshua Karty Following Harrison Mevis’ Impressive Performance
The Los Angeles Rams have made a significant change in their kicking game by waiving kicker Joshua Karty. This decision comes after Karty held the starting role for one and a half seasons. He was replaced by rookie kicker Harrison Mevis earlier this month, following a series of inconsistent performances.
Details of the Waiver
The Rams announced Karty’s release just before their upcoming game against Carolina. This move comes as the team seeks to stabilize their kicking unit, which has faced challenges this season.
Performance Overview
- Karty missed five of 15 field-goal attempts this season.
- He also failed to convert three extra-point attempts.
- In contrast, Mevis has made 13 consecutive extra points and two field goals without any misses.
Context of the Decision
Head Coach Sean McVay expressed regret about the decision, stating, “Honestly, it wasn’t something that we wanted to do.” He clarified that the plan had always included maintaining two kickers, which depended on the health of the roster.
Karty was drafted by the Rams in the sixth round in 2024. During his rookie season, he showed promise, missing only three of 34 field-goal attempts. However, this season’s struggles have led to a shift in strategy.
Issues with the Kicking Unit
The Rams’ kicking troubles became apparent during a critical game against Philadelphia, where two field-goal attempts were blocked. One of these attempted kicks would have secured a victory for the Rams but was instead returned for a touchdown, sealing a 33-26 loss.
Future Plans
Despite waiving Karty, McVay indicated a desire to potentially bring him back to the practice squad. The Rams also reinforced their protection by re-signing veteran long snapper Jake McQuaide.
Moving forward, the Rams plan to utilize both Mevis and punter Ethan Evans for kickoffs based on situational needs. “I’m a lot happier overall as a head coach when we’re kicking extra points and not field goals,” McVay stated, as he reflected on improvements since Mevis joined the team.
