Rams Lose New Kicker Grupe to Knee Injury
16 sourcesUpdated Oct 19, 20261 min read
Blake Grupe made a 44-yard field goal in the first quarter of his Los Angeles Rams debut against the Arizona Cardinals, then injured his knee while tackling returner Devin Duvernay on the ensuing kickoff after a 40-yard return. Grupe spent several minutes on the ground, reached the midfield logo, dropped to a knee, and hobbled off with training staff. The Rams ruled him doubtful and later downgraded him to out. Without a kicker, the Rams went for two after a Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Blake Corum; Stafford was sacked by Josh Sweat, fumbled, and L.J. Collier returned the ball to the Rams 35 before Jordan Whittington made the tackle. Late in the first half the Rams let the clock expire at their own 35 with 46 seconds left instead of advancing. Punter Ethan Evans made his first career NFL extra point in the final minute. The Cardinals won 18-16 on a walk-off field goal, dropping the Rams to 2-4. Grupe, 27, had been signed days earlier off the New York Jets practice squad after the Rams waived Harrison Mevis following two missed field goals in a Week 5 overtime loss to Buffalo. Coach Sean McVay said Grupe had experience, did a great job for Indy last year, and was the best available with real game experience. Yahoo described a failed fourth-and-eight at the Arizona 44; CBS described a failed fourth-and-1 at the Arizona 27.
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Left· 3 sources
“Rams kicker goes flying and limps off injured after returner makes him look like 'toddler'”Center· 0 sources
No center coverage yet — a bubble gap.
Evans stepping in as kicker feels like another bandage on the Rams' ongoing special teams issues.
That's a tough break for Grupe after nailing the field goal. Special teams can't keep taking hits like this.
