The Los Angeles Rams have elevated long snapper Jake McQuaide from the practice squad for their Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, a move prompted by an ankle injury to starter Joe Cardona.
Head coach Sean McVay confirmed the plan a day earlier, telling reporters that Cardona was doubtful and that McQuaide would step in as the long snapper.
The team formalized the elevation on October 31 alongside kicker Joshua Karty, both via standard practice-squad elevation.
McQuaide’s return provides the Rams with a familiar and proven specialist at a position where consistency is non-negotiable.
A two-time Pro Bowler, he spent the first decade of his career with the franchise from 2011 through 2020, delivering reliable snaps through multiple playoff runs and a Super Bowl appearance.
After stints with several other clubs, he rejoined the Rams midway through the 2025 season, again via the practice squad, and ultimately locked down the starting job for the remainder of the year and the postseason.
Cardona’s ankle issue first surfaced in the Rams’ victory over the Las Vegas Raiders the previous week, leading the club to sign McQuaide to the practice squad on October 28 as insurance.
The veteran’s familiarity with the organization and with punter and holder Ethan Evans should minimize any adjustment period.
McVay has long valued McQuaide’s reliability, and the elevation signals that the coaching staff is preparing for Cardona to miss Sunday’s game.
While the long-snapper move is straightforward, the simultaneous elevation of Karty points to broader special-teams adjustments.
Karty, a 2024 draft pick who previously kicked for the Rams before a stint with the Arizona Cardinals, is being considered as part of a two-kicker setup.
Reports indicate the Rams may keep Brandon McManus for field goals and extra points while using Karty on kickoffs, where Los Angeles has struggled to pin opponents deep this season.
McVay has noted that roster math and the status of other players will ultimately dictate how many specialists the team carries on the 48-man game-day roster.
For McQuaide, the call-up is another chapter in a durable career that has already spanned more than 200 games.
At a time when special-teams execution can swing close contests, the Rams are once again turning to a trusted veteran who knows the organization well and has answered the same call before.
