Rams’ Joshua Karty loss gets worse once you see which team signed him

The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams are no longer in control of their own fate in the NFC West. Following their loss to the 12-3 Seattle Seahawks, the path to a division title now goes through the aforementioned 'Hawks and 11-4 San Francisco 49ers.

Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay made a substantial move following the loss, as he fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn. This is the first time that McVay fired an assistant coach during a season. As it turns out, the special teams unit saw more change, specifically in the kicking room.

Earlier this month, the Rams relegated kicker Joshua Karty to the practice squad, giving them a backup option for Harrison Mevis. 23 days later, the Rams watched Karty get signed off their practice squad by the rival Arizona Cardinals.

Rams watch Cardinals steal Joshua Karty off practice squad

It certainly stings for a team to watch its rival sign one of its players away from the practice squad. Fans will be rooting against Karty's success when he faces the Rams in the regular season finale in two weeks.

So why would the Cardinals add Karty? Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said the team made this move to give them "options" alongside their current kicker Chad Ryland. This season, Ryland has made 23-of-31 field goal attempts with a season-long of 57-yards.

As for Karty, he made 10-of-15 kicks with a season-long of 51 yards. The last time Karty suited up for the Rams was back on Nov. 2 against the New Orleans Saints, where he missed his lone field goal attempt and made four of five extra points. That's when UFL kicker Harrison Mevis took over as the starter.

Mevis had been relatively solid for the most part this season. But in the team's game against the Seahawks last Thursday, Mevis missed a 48-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to keep the score tied 30-30. That was Mevis' lone field goal miss this season, as he made eight of them with a season-long of 52-yards.

It will be interesting to see if Karty will see any playing time this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. But he will be worth keeping an eye on in the Rams' regular-season finale.