Rams sign vet kicker Mason Crosby to practice squad as special teams concerns linger
Mason Crosby is getting a new start.
After 16 seasons kicking for the Green Bay Packers, including winning a Super Bowl title, the 39-year-old Crosby spent part of Wednesday being fitted for Rams equipment.
“Getting all the new gear and new helmet and all those things felt like being a rookie again,” Crosby said.
The Rams signed Crosby to the practice squad because they are in the midst of a three-game winning streak that has featured outstanding play by the offense and defense, and inconsistency from rookie kicker Lucas Havrisik.
Coach Sean Mcvay said Havrisik would remain with the team, but Crosby could be elevated to the roster as soon as this weekend for Sunday’s game against the Ravens in Baltimore.
Matthew Stafford passed for three touchdowns and safety John Johnson had an interception to lead the Rams to a 36-19 win over the Cleveland Browns.
“To have a veteran that has his experience and some of his success,” McVay said, “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 we felt like wanted to be able to explore.”
Crosby began his career in 2007 and has made 81.4% of field-goal attempts (395 of 485) and 97.3% of extra-point kicks.
Last year he made 25 of 29 field-goal attempts. With Crosby set to become an unrestricted free agent, however, the Packers selected former Auburn kicker Anders Carlson in the sixth round of the draft.
If Crosby plays Sunday, he will become the third kicker utilized by the Rams this season.
After deciding not to re-sign Pro Bowl kicker Matt Gay, the Rams opened the season with Brett Maher, who made 17 of 23 field-goal attempts in seven games before he was released. Havrisik has made seven of 10 in five games.
The Rams are in the NFC playoff hunt, but the Packers have an easier schedule and own the tiebreaker against L.A. Can they catch the Vikings? Chargers must win all.
In last Sunday’s 36-19 victory over the Cleveland Browns, Havrisik made two field goals but missed an attempt for the third time in the last four games.
Crosby said the Rams worked him out about a month ago, and that he has been kicking two or three times a week while waiting for the right opportunity.
“With where this team is, and trying to build and do something special here down the stretch, it feels like a good opportunity to chase this dream,” Crosby said.
Crosby said he was grateful for the years he spent with the Packers but welcomed the opportunity to play in “a place where there’s a little nice weather,” he said.
“It’s funny,” he said, “I have five kids at home. Every once in a while, I would be kind of questioning why I’m continuing to pursue it.
“And they’re all like, ‘Keep going Dad. What else are you going to do right now?’ ”
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