Rams place both punters on COVID-19 reserve list ahead of Raiders game

The Los Angeles Rams have a preseason game in mere hours, but on Saturday they had to place both of their punters on the COVID-19 reserve list. Both incumbent Johnny Hekker and the new guy competing for a roster spot somewhere in the NFL this season Corey Bojorquez will be inactive for tonight’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The news leaves the Rams without a punter for Saturday night’s game at SoFi Stadium against the Raiders. Instead, Sean McVay may have to elect to go for it as many times as possible — not necessarily the worst case scenario in a meaningless exhibition game — or to give kicker Matt Gay the chance to boot it when necessary. The move does mean that LA won’t get as many opportunities (probably) to give special teams coverage snaps to a host of players who desperately need to prove themselves on special teams.

Perhaps for that reason, McVay will elect to punt by any means necessary.