Rams Split Kicking Duties to Improve Coverage

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay submitted a 48-man game-day roster that included two kickers for the team’s 24-9 win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. The move separated field goal responsibilities from kickoff duties to address persistent coverage issues.

Brandon McManus handled all four field goals and extra points, converting each attempt. Joshua Karty, called up from the practice squad, executed every kickoff. Karty uses an unorthodox bounce to place the ball near the front of the landing zone. This placement makes it difficult for returners to field the ball cleanly and gives coverage players a head start.

Karty’s strategy worked on the opening kickoff. Chargers returner Derius Davis bobbled the ball before stopping it at the nine-yard line. McVay noted that the team had successful outcomes with Karty kicking "dirty" balls during the 2025 season. The coach said the roster constraints usually prevented this strategy, but the current situation allowed for the experiment.

The approach carried inherent risks. Karty twice landed the ball in front of the landing zone, resulting in penalties that placed the ball at the Chargers’ 40-yard line. Despite these errors, McVay indicated the Rams will likely continue the two-kicker strategy as long as roster needs permit.

The change follows a week where the Rams struggled to cover kicks against the Las Vegas Raiders. In that game, McVay opted for touchbacks, which place the ball at the opponent’s 35-yard line. He viewed that automatic placement as unsustainable for the long term.

McVay explained the logic behind the new setup. He said the team had not been having success covering kicks previously. When Karty hits a good ball that is hard to field, the Rams gain a start before the return team sets up. The coach stated that this momentum advantage was the primary thinking behind the decision.

The Rams now have a specialized unit for kickoffs while maintaining a reliable field goal kicker. The experiment resulted in a win over the Chargers, with Karty’s bouncy kicks limiting return opportunities despite two penalties.

Sean McVay confirmed the team’s intent to keep improving the unit’s performance. He noted that Karty will keep getting better at his specific role. The coaching staff believes the semantic advantage of getting a head start on the returner justifies the risk of potential penalties.

The two-kicker setup allowed the Rams to focus their special teams efforts. McVay said the roster might not always allow for this flexibility, but it was the right call for this game. The Rams finished the game with a comfortable lead, having mitigated the kickoff return threat.