The kicking carousel continues to turn in Los Angeles with the Rams bringing in yet another kicker, their fourth since the start of the offseason. They signed veteran Mason Crosby to the practice squad this week, but they still have Lucas Havrisik on the 53-man roster.
Havrisik has struggled in recent weeks, missing three kicks in his last two games, so Sean McVay was looking for outside help and a veteran presence in the special teams room. McVay explained the decision to sign Crosby during his media session Wednesday and he indicated it doesn’t mean they’re going to immediately cut Havrisik.
“It’s kind of a unique opportunity where you still end up having Lucas, feel like he’s a guy that we want to be able to continue to work with,” McVay said. “But to have a veteran that has his experience, some of the success, some of the crunch time moments that he’s had and the unique opportunity to be able to bring somebody in on the practice squad and potentially flex them up. Those are things that we felt like we wanted to be able to explore when you have 16 spots on the practice squad and so that’s what we’re doing.”
McVay said “there’s a possibility” Crosby will be activated from the practice squad as early as this Sunday against the Ravens, and he said the Rams “do not anticipate” releasing Havrisik. So for the time being, the Rams will carry two kickers between the active roster and practice squad.
Crosby hasn’t played in a game this season, but he went 25-for-29 in 17 games with the Packers last season, while also missing two extra point attempts. In just five games this season, Havrisik has missed three field goals and one PAT, including two attempts from 40-49 yards.
With Los Angeles pushing for a playoff berth, it needs to find some stability at kicker soon.