LA Rams sign a player, but you will never guess who

With so many areas on the LA Rams roster seemingly screaming for attention from the team’s front office, news of the team signing a new player was enough to place despair on hold and feel a ray of hope once more. After all, the LA Rams front office has a knack for finding and acquiring the right players to fit what the Rams need at that moment.

The Rams traded for RB Sony Michel to start the 2021 NFL season, and he ended up as the top rusher for the team by a significant margin. The team added veteran outside linebacker Von Miller, who stepped right in to give the pass rush a desperately needed boost. And ultimately, the team signed wide receiver free agent Odell Beckham Jr., who arrived just in time to be drafted into immediate service for the offense.

Right now, the roster has an ever-growing list of positions in need of immediate help. Offensive line? Check. Running back? Check. Defensive pass rush? Check. Wide receiver? Check.

So the Rams’ news of a new player signing would surely address one of those positions, right? Um . . . no.

Long snapper?

The Rams signed a veteran long snapper to the practice squad. He is 10-year NFL veteran long snapper Kyle Nelson, and he is the newest member of the LA Rams.

Now, who is he?

Kyle Nelson is a former tight end out of New Mexico State who signed on with the New Orleans Saints after the 2011 NFL Draft. As is often the case, the 6-foot-2 240-pound tight end did not interest coaches in his play on offense. But because he could also hike the football on special teams, he did land a spot on the San Diego Chargers in 2012. The following year, he signed on to compete with the Washington Commanders before signing with the San Francisco 49ers, where he would play for seven years.

He signed on with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021 and now finds himself on his fifth NFL team this season.

There is no news as to why the Rams signed a new long snapper. The Rams had signed LS Matt Overton to the practice squad on September 13 as an emergency option to cover in case a calf injury to starting LS Matt Orzech was too much to overcome on game day. Orzech recovered and Overton was released on September 20. Overton subsequently signed on with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on October 4, and actually appeared in their Week 5 contest against the Rams.

Emergency signing, or just covering all the bases?  In whatever role Nelson will serve the Rams, it’s not likely to calm the concerns of fans who were looking for a signing of a bit more urgent need.