Rams kicking carousel takes another wild turn as Josh Karty returns with a secret weapon

The Los Angeles Rams have gone through kickers this season like a frustrated gambler shuffling through lottery tickets, desperately searching for a winner.Now, after cycling through three different kickers in three weeks, they’ve decided to reach into their past and give Josh Karty another shot.But Karty isn’t the same kicker the Rams sent packing almost one year ago to the day.At least, that’s what he believes.The Rams signed their former starting kicker to the practice squad Wednesday, adding another intriguing wrinkle to a special teams circus that has become one of the team’s biggest headaches over the past two seasons.Harrison Mevis started the season before being released.

Blake Grupe replaced him, only to suffer a season-ending torn ACL on his first kickoff.Veteran Brandon McManus arrived before Sunday’s victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, and now Karty is back in the building.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Four kickers, in three weeks, and the Rams are still searching for answers.“I was dealing with some stuff last year, and I learned a lot about myself and how to grow and mature in all parts of my game,” Karty told reporters Wednesday.That included a previously undisclosed hip issue that Karty admitted he probably should have rested instead of attempting to play through during his first stint with Los Angeles.“I think last year I was dealing with a little hip thing that I probably should have just rested for a bit,” Karty said.

“But I was a young guy, and I just didn’t do that.”Now healthy, Karty believes he’s better equipped to handle the pressure of kicking in the NFL.“I’m just healthier, and I think I’m a better kicker than I was at this time last year,” he said.But the most fascinating part of Karty’s return ...