When Los Angeles Rams K Greg Zuerlein went for surgery on a herniated disc in his back last year, the Rams were in a uniquely tough spot.
It was late December. They had two games left in the regular season. The playoffs loomed. The team had to find a replacement for a kicker on pace to break the single season scoring record. With little time and slim pickings late in the season, they turned to undrafted, untested and unemployed K Sam Ficken.
It was never going to be fair.