Overview
- The Rams signed Jack Bouwmeester on Sunday and designated him as an international-pathway exemption, a transaction confirmed on the NFL transaction wire and reported by multiple outlets.
- San Francisco had signed Bouwmeester to a three-year deal in mid-July before waiving him on Aug. 12 as it kept veteran Corliss Waitman, clearing the way for Los Angeles to add him.
- Under the international-pathway exemption the Rams can keep Bouwmeester without him counting against their offseason roster or the 16-player practice-squad limit, which preserves roster flexibility.
- The addition appears aimed at depth and future options rather than an immediate change at punter because incumbent Ethan Evans had a strong preseason showing days earlier.
- Bouwmeester is a 27-year-old Australian who punted at Michigan State, Utah and Texas with 213 career punts for about a 43.8-yard average, and he could face the 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Week 1.