Rams release wide receiver/kick returner Nsimba Webster
Nsimba Webster, an undrafted free-agent wide receiver who returned kicks for the Rams the last two seasons, was released Tuesday, the team announced.
Webster, 25, signed with the Rams after playing in college at Eastern Washington. Last season, he returned 25 punts and averaged 7.4 yards per return. He averaged 21.7 yards on 16 kickoff returns.
After last season, coach Sean McVay moved to improve the Rams’ special-teams play by hiring Joe DeCamillis to replace John Bonamego, who remained with the team as a senior assistant.
Finding or developing a productive kick returner was a priority.
“We’ve got to get a guy that can ring the bell and drop the ball over the goal line,” DeCamillis said.
Rams running back Cam Akers suffered a torn Achilles tendon while training, a team official says. Akers was on track to be the team’s featured back.
Running back Raymond Calais will compete to replace Webster. Rookie wide receiver Tutu Atwell practiced as a kick returner during offseason workouts. After he signed with the Rams, veteran receiver DeSean Jackson did not rule out the possibility that he could return kicks.
The Rams open training camp July 28 at UC Irvine.
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