The Los Angeles Rams have signed punter Jack Bouwmeester, providing them with two punters on their 90-man roster as they prepare for their upcoming preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. Bouwmeester, who is Australian, qualifies for the NFL's international pathway program exemption, allowing the Rams to retain his rights without impacting their practice squad limits.
Bouwmeester, 27, previously played college football at Michigan State, Utah, and Texas. He went undrafted this year and had a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers before being waived last week. He earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors in 2023 and was named second-team All-Big 12 in 2024.
Ethan Evans, who has been performing well as a punter, remains a strong contender for the position. The addition of Bouwmeester may provide the Rams with additional options, especially if Evans encounters any challenges during the preseason. Special teams have been a concern for head coach Sean McVay, and Bouwmeester's signing could help address those issues.
If the Rams choose to, they can keep Bouwmeester on their practice squad after the final roster cuts without it affecting their 16-man limit, until he is either promoted to the 53-man roster or signed by another team.
