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Lindsey ThiryESPN
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams have placed punters Johnny Hekker and Corey Bojorquez on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Saturday.
That leaves the Rams without a punter listed on the roster for a Week 2 preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday night at SoFi Stadium.
The Rams did not immediately announce who could serve as a reserve punter.
For a fourth consecutive year, Rams coach Sean McVay has opted not to play starters in preseason action, and this year he has taken it a step further, resting several key reserves as well.
Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and backup John Wolford will not play against Las Vegas.
It’s possible that McVay could test the fourth-down capabilities of backup quarterbacks Bryce Perkins and Devlin Hodges without a punter.
A fourth-year pro signed over the offseason, Bojorquez has been challenging the four-time All-Pro Hekker for the position.
Both punted twice in a 13-6 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1. Hekker averaged 45.5 yards per punt, and Bojorquez averaged 43.