Rams Sign Kicker Karty, Long Snapper McQuaide

The team added three players to the practice squad while releasing three others to make roster space.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Football

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a football kicker in mid-swing, wearing Los Angeles Rams team colors, mid-action crop. — The Los Angeles Rams signed kicker Joshua Karty and long snapper Jake McQuaide to their practice squad to improve special teams performance. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Los Angeles Rams have signed kicker Joshua Karty, long snapper Jake McQuaide, and linebacker Jon Rhattigan to their practice squad. These roster adjustments follow the team signing Brandon McManus last week.

Why it matters

The team is actively seeking to improve their special teams performance following a period of roster instability. These additions provide the Rams with veteran experience and depth as they navigate the remainder of the season.

Kicker Joshua Karty was a sixth-round draft pick in 2024 who previously recorded 29-of-34 field goals and 32-of-36 extra points during his rookie campaign. Jake McQuaide, who previously played for the Rams from 2011 to 2020, appeared in nine games for the team last season.

The players

Joshua Karty

He is a professional football kicker who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jake McQuaide

He is a veteran long snapper who spent the majority of his decade-long career with the Rams franchise.

Jon Rhattigan

He is an NFL linebacker who was added to the Rams practice squad alongside the team's specialists.

Brandon McManus

He is an experienced NFL placekicker who was recently signed by the Rams to bolster their special teams unit.

Joe Cardona

He is an NFL long snapper who handled special teams duties for the Rams during the 2026 season.

The details

To accommodate the new signings, the Rams released offensive lineman Austin Blake, cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean, and linebacker Elias Neal from the practice squad. The team is adjusting its lineup to address consistency issues in the kicking and long snapping units.

Jake McQuaide served as the Rams long snapper from 2011 through 2020.
Joshua Karty was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Rams waived Joshua Karty in 2025.
Joe Cardona handled the long snapping duties for the team in 2026.
The team signed Karty, McQuaide, and Rhattigan in October 2026.

Season Trajectory

These personnel adjustments reflect the Rams effort to stabilize their special teams unit mid-season to remain competitive. By rotating players on the practice squad, the organization is looking to avoid the special teams lapses that have impacted their standing in the division.

The return of Jake McQuaide provides a veteran presence that may lead to more consistent operation during field goal and punt attempts. Fantasy managers and fans should monitor if these specialists are promoted from the practice squad before the team's next game.

The takeaway

Team depth is crucial for enduring the long NFL season, especially within specialized units like kicking. Managers often turn to familiar veteran players when they need immediate stability to address performance gaps on the roster.