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Rams Kicker Blake Grupe Injured in Debut, Doubtful to Return
Confirmed
In Short: Los Angeles Rams kicker Blake Grupe was ruled doubtful to return after suffering a knee injury during his first game with the team.
Los Angeles Rams kicker Blake Grupe was ruled doubtful to return after suffering a knee injury during his first game with the team against the Arizona Cardinals. Grupe, who was signed off the Jets' practice squad to replace Harrison Mevis, was hurt while attempting to tackle Devin Duvernay on a kickoff return.
Grupe had made a 44-yard field goal to put the Rams up 3-0 with 9:41 left in the first quarter. However, just over five minutes later, he was injured after bringing down Duvernay near midfield. Grupe was immediately evaluated on the sideline and then walked off the field with trainers, going straight back to the locker room.
The Rams' special teams have been a source of concern this season. After cutting Mevis, who had missed a potential game-winning field goal against the Buffalo Bills, the team quickly signed Grupe. Grupe, unlike Mevis, is a slender 5-foot-7, 156-pound veteran who spent three seasons with the Saints from 2023 to 2025. He has made 86 of 105 career field goals (81.6 percent).
With Grupe now doubtful to return, the Rams are left without a backup kicker on the active roster. Punter Ethan Evans will likely serve as the emergency kicker, while receiver Jordan Whittington could be the holder. The team's play-calling may need to be adjusted to feature aggressive fourth-down conversions.
The Rams' kicking conundrum continues into Week 6, but not in the way they expected. General manager Les Snead acted quickly to sign Grupe just days earlier, but the injury could force the team to make another change. The Rams have consistently gone through multiple kickers per season, and this latest setback may complicate their plans moving forward.
The injury to Grupe highlights the ongoing challenges the Rams face with their special teams unit. The team's special teams coverage was not effective, with Duvernay nearly getting to midfield before Grupe hit him to drive him out of bounds. This incident underscores the importance of solid coverage and the risks associated with aggressive plays by the kicker.
What this adds
Grupe's injury adds another layer of uncertainty to the Rams' already troubled special teams unit. The team's decision to have Grupe make a tackle on a kickoff return, while understandable, may have contributed to his injury.
The Rams' kicking situation remains fluid, with no clear solution in sight. The team will need to carefully manage their options and possibly explore additional signings or roster moves to address the ongoing issues.
Background
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava is out indefinitely with a knee injury, expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season.
What's confirmed
- You can see the play in question in this clip below, after he gets spun violently after thumps the returner out of bounds: The Rams were kicking off after Grupe made a 44-yard field goal attempt to open the scoring for the Rams.
What's still developing
- After Matthew Stafford connected with Blake Corum for a 15-yard touchdown in the second quarter, they kept the offense on the field for a two-point attempt, which failed.
- So far, however, the Rams have not called Evans' number to kick.
- Given Mevis' struggles it comes as no surprise that general manager Les Snead acted with lightning speed, signing his third kicker in two years.
- If you do it, you'll most likely be permanently banned.
- He was spotted heading to the locker room, described as “limping with what looks like a shoulder injury as well:” The Rams listed his as doubtful to return with a knee injury.
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