Latest Rams signings sound the klaxon over the status for a Week 8 star

The LA Rams roster has been the epicenter of seismic level upheaval in the week leading up to the team's Week 9 NFC West Divisional showdown between the last place LA Rams (3-4) and the first place Seattle Seahawks (4-4). But the difference between the two teams is so small, that a win by the Rams over the Seahawks in this one could flip the teams, sending the Seahawks to the basement and the Rams to the penthouse.

It's been that sort of season.

Yep. That sort of season. The type of season that has been fraught with disappointments and challenges from the get-go. This team lost three starting offensive linemen, two defensive backs, and a number of minor tweaks throughout training camp. Now, at mid season, the team is still trying to nurse multiple players back to health, including two starting offensive linemen.

But the team continues to fight through surprise injuries. The team had hoped that injuries would diminish in terms of team impact. But in the practice week leading up to the team's game, the front office made several curious moves. The first announced signing of punter Ryan Sanborn to the practice squad. Curious move. What happened to starting punter Ethan Evans, the star of Week 8?

Well, something is up. After signing one punter, the team instantly added a second punter to the practice squad in the form of Ty Zentner. Clearly there was something wrong with starting punter Ethan Evans. The front office signed two punters in two days:

It didn't take long for answers. Rams reporter Stu Jackson elaborated on the recent Rams roster moves. It seems that Ethan Evans has been taken out of commission by an illness, necessitating the team to act instantly.

While that is great news for the long-term, it's horrific timing for the team for Week 9. Ethan Evans has been surprisingly effective this year, While still working on improving hang time, he has become a master of the coffin corner punt, a fact that directly contributed to the win in Week 8. But in a crucial game, he has been benched by being sick.

Clearly ST Coordinator Chase Blackburn wants competition to determine who gets the job. We'll have a follow up article announcing who will punt for the team, and perhaps more importantly, why

More Rams news and analysis