Rams Worked Out 10 Kickers To Replace Greg Zuerlein
The Rams will be without Greg Zuerlein for the rest of the season. Their Pro Bowl kicker, since placed on IR, will undergo back surgery on Thursday, Sean McVay said (via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com).
Zuerlein has been playing through a back injury all season, and McVay labeled it a herniated disk. The 29-year-old kicker aggravated the injury while sleeping the night before the Rams’ Week 15 game in Seattle. McVay said his kicker could barely stand on Sunday, and it affected his performance and Los Angeles’ game plan against the Seahawks.
Up next for Zuerlein will be a 12-week recovery timetable.
As for the replacement effort, Sam Ficken won quite the derby despite having no NFL kicking experience. A 2015 UDFA out of Penn State, Ficken took part in a 10-man kicker audition on Wednesday.
Veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer reports (on Twitter) the Rams worked out Roberto Aguayo, Dan Carpenter, Travis Coons, Andrew Franks, Garrett Hartley, Marshall Koehn, Younghoe Koo, Mike Meyer and Jason Myers. Two long snappers — Jeff Overbaugh and Drew Farris — and two punters-as-holders (Matt Wile and Austin Rehkow) were also on hand for this unique specialty showcase, per Balzer (on Twitter).
Carpenter and Hartley have extensive NFL experience — a combined 16 seasons’ worth — while Aguayo was selected in the second round only to become a workout journeyman by his second year. He auditioned for the Browns earlier this week and also could not procure the Rams’ kicker job, one that will feature playoff opportunities. Hartley has not kicked in a game since 2014, and Carpenter hasn’t kicked this season.
The Chargers cut Coons earlier this week, but he’s been in Los Angeles for a few weeks now after being the initial Nick Novak replacement for the Bolts. Myers hasn’t kicked since losing his Jaguars job to ex-Charger Josh Lambo, and Franks — a former Dolphin — hasn’t suited up for a 2017 contest either.
Chargers Make Kicker Change
The Chargers are making a kicker change. Kicker Nick Rose has been claimed off waivers from the Redskins. Meanwhile, kicker Travis Coons has been waived. 
Rose filled in for the Redskins while Dustin Hopkins was sidelined with a hip injury. Rose did well in Hopkins’ absence, connecting 10 of 11 field goal attempts and 18 of 20 extra point tries. On Saturday, Hopkins returned to action, displacing Rose.
The Redskins have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but the 7-7 Chargers still have a chance to make the postseason. In that sense, it’s an upgrade for Rose.
The Bolts have a 6% chance of overtaking the Chiefs in the AFC West and slightly better odds of securing a Wild Card spot, per the New York Times’ playoff calculator. In order to have any chance at the playoffs, the Chargers must beat the Jets on Christmas Eve.
In other Chargers news, tight end Hunter Henry has suffered a lacerated kidney (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). His status going forward is uncertain.
Chargers To Promote K Travis Coons From Practice Squad
The Chargers will see yet another kicker suit up for them in a game this season. They made the decision to promote Travis Coons from their practice squad, according to agent Brett Tessler (on Twitter).
Tessler added his client will be kicking for the Bolts against the Browns. Nick Novak aggravating a back injury on Thanksgiving led to the Chargers signing Coons to their taxi squad earlier this week, and it looks like the team will be giving him another week to recover.
The Bolts are set to carry two kickers on their active roster, and Coons would be their fourth this season. YoungHoe Koo beat out Josh Lambo in training camp, but after early-season struggles, the Chargers reacquired Novak. Punter Drew Kaser then filled in for the kicker on Thanksgiving.
Coons hasn’t kicked in a regular-season game since the 2015 season, when he served as the Browns’ kicker for 16 games.
Chargers Sign K Travis Coons To P-Squad
The Chargers worked out veteran kickers on Tuesday and are planning to sign Travis Coons to their practice squad, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
This will serve as a Nick Novak insurance policy. Novak is dealing with a back injury, one that caused him to kick through noticeable pain against the Cowboys. Eric Williams of ESPN.com tweets the Chargers believe Novak can kick against the Browns on Sunday, but Coons will be a backup plan.
Williams reported the Bolts were holding a kicker workout, and veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer reports (on Twitter) Sam Ficken, Marshall Koehn and Jason Myers joined Coons for the showcase. The Bolts appeared to have called in a long snapper, Jeff Overbaugh, to work with them as well, per Balzer.
Coons will take his place on the Chargers’ 10-man taxi squad.
He worked out for the Lions earlier this season after spending time with the Rams during training camp. The Raiders also rostered Coons, who last kicked for the 2015 Browns. The 25-year-old served as Cleveland’s kicker for all 16 games that season. He made 28 of 32 field goals as a rookie, but Patrick Murray beat him out for the job during the 2016 preseason.
This workout featured different kickers than the October gathering in L.A., arranged because of a Novak ankle ailment. At that point, the Bolts hosted initial 2017 kicking option Younghoe Koo, along with Andrew Franks. Myers attended both workouts. Former Charger specialist Josh Lambo replaced Myers in Jacksonville.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/17/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Buffalo Bills
- QB Matt Simms; DE Noble Nwachukwu; LB Boseko Lokombo (Twitter links via Adam Caplan)
Chicago Bears
- QB Alek Torgersen; WRs Jordan Payton, Kevin Snead (link)
Cincinnati Bengals
- TEs Brian Parker, Josiah Price, Steven Scheu; DBs Robert Blanton, K.J. Dillon, Harold Jones-Quartey, Robenson Therezie (Twitter links)
Denver Broncos
- WRs Devin Lucien, Tim Patrick, Domonique Young (link via Caplan)
Detroit Lions
- DE Jacquies Smith; Ks Dan Carpenter, Travis Coons (link via Caplan)
Houston Texans
- QB Taylor Heinicke (link via Caplan)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- CBs Alex Carter, Deji Olatoye, D’Joun Smith (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- G Oni Omoile; T Nick Becton; DT Josh Augusta; LB Johnathan Calvin (link)
Los Angeles Chargers
- DB Justin Currie (link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press)
- DBs Robert Blanton, Antone Exum, Ed Reynolds, Ahmad Thomas (link via Caplan)
New Orleans Saints
- RBs Matt Asiata, Ka’Deem Carey, Dexter McCluster; WR Paul Turner; LB Bryan Braman (Twitter links via Caplan)
New York Jets
- DE Owa Odighizuwa; S Harold Jones-Quartey (link via Caplan)
San Francisco 49ers
- DE Devin Taylor (link via Caplan)
Washington Redskins
- RBs Troymaine Pope, Stanley Williams, Joseph Yearby; WRs Rashad Ross, Kendal Thompson; Gs Willie Beavers, Zach Voytek; T Storm Norton; ; LB Jayrone Elliott; CB Damian Swann; DBs Ed Reynolds, Orion Stewart, Mykkele Thompson (all Twitter links)
Rams Make Cuts, Reach 53-Man Max
The Rams added a player via trade on Saturday, but their real focus was on mass cuts to get down to the 53-man max. Here’s a rundown of their moves.
Waived:
- DT Omarius Bryant
- WR K.D. Cannon
- OL Parker Collins
- K Travis Coons
- CB Carlos Davis
- LB Kevin Davis (waived/injured)
- OL Michael Dunn
- OL Jake Eldrenkamp
- LB Josh Forrest (waived/injured)
- DB Tyquwan Glass
- RB Aaron Green
- DB Isaiah Johnson
- DB Michael Jordan
- OL Alex Kozan
- OLB Willie Mays
- LB Cassanova Mckinzy
- WR Paul McRoberts
- OLB Andy Mulumba
- OL Pace Murphy
- LB Folarin Orimolade
- DB Aarion Penton
- NT Mike Purcell
- FB Sam Rogers
- WR Shakeir Ryan
- DT Casey Sayles
- WR Brandon Shippen
- WR Nelson Spruce (waived/injured)
- OLB Carlos Thompson
- RB Lenard Tillery (waived/injured)
- OLB Orlovsky was signed in July, but he was facing long odds since the Rams already had Jared Goff and Sean Mannion as their top two QBs.
- G Cody Wichmann
- TE Travis Wilson
Released:
- TE Cory Harkey
- QB Dan Orlovsky
Reserve/Injured:
Reserve/PUP:
- RB Lance Dunbar
Reserve/Suspended:
- CB Troy Hill
- WR Michael Thomas
Orlovsky was signed in July, but he was facing long odds since the Rams already had Jared Goff and Sean Mannion as their top two QBs. Since being drafted in 2005, the 34-year-old has made just 12 career starts.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/30/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: WR Reginald Davis III, T Wil Freeman, S Jordan Moore, S Deron Washington
- Waived from IR: T Kevin Graf
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Brandon Brown-Dukes
Houston Texans
- Waived from IR: WR Devin Street
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: K Travis Coons
New York Giants
- Waived from IR: WR Darius Powe
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed off waivers: DE Jake Metz
Tennessee Titans
- Waived/injured: CB Jeremy Boykins, WR Mekale McKay
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/17
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LS Taybor Pepper
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LS Jeff Overbaugh
- Waived/injured: Patrick Scales
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: P Will Monday
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: OL Gabe Ikard
Denver Broncos
- Waived/injured: DL Jimmy Bean
Detroit Lions
- Released: WR Keshawn Martin, TE Tim Wright
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: LS Derek Hart, WR Colby Pearson, RB William Stanback
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Earl Wolff
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Akeem Dent
- Waived from IR: CB Ezra Robinson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: LB Josh Mauga
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: K Travis Coons
New England Patriots
- Signed: DL Michael Bart, LB Christian Kuntz, LB Nick Usher
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Audie Cole
- Placed on IR: TE Clay Harbor
New York Giants
- Signed: DB Daniel Gray
- Placed on IR: OL Adam Gettis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Mehdi Abdesmad, DL Hendrick Ekpe
- Waived: RB Blake Sims
- Placed on IR: Justin Trattou
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/10/17
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived from IR: LB Gabe Martin (Twitter link via Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic)
Carolina Panthers
- Waived from IR: S Travell Dixon (Twitter link via Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: K Travis Coons
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DL Christian French (Twitter link via DEC Management)
- Waived/injured: LB Ronald Powell (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
Giants Audition CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
We have an Ifo Ekpre-Olomu sighting. The former Oregon cornerback is among the players trying out for the Giants today, the team announced. 
Ekpre-Olomu has had some terrible luck in recent years. Coming into the league, he was viewed as a talent with high potential, but a torn ACL and a dislocated bone in his right knee caused him to fall to the Browns in the seventh round of the 2015 draft. He later wound up with the Dolphins, but he tore his other ACL in practice before the 2016 season got underway. Now, it appears that he is healthy, so he is going to try to hook on with the Giants.
Before the Dolphins scooped up Ekpre-Olomu last year, the Saints, Bills, and Steelers all reportedly tried to claim him, so he is well regarded around the league. The question now is whether he can get back to his old form. Unfortunately, he has not been on the field since the 2015 Rose Bowl.
Kicker Travis Coons is also working out for the Giants today. Coons played for the Browns in 2015 and made 88% of his field goals. Offensive lineman Michael Brewster (who played in The Spring League) and tight end Justice Cunningham are also among those auditioning.