Fastrack · Rams' Kicker Blake Grupe Injured in Debut

Rams kicker Blake Grupe left Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals with a knee injury. It happened minutes into his debut with the team.

44-yard field goal by Grupe gave the Rams an early 3-0 lead.
Grupe pushed returner Devin Duvernay out of bounds on the next kickoff.
Trainers helped him off; he went to the medical tent, then the locker room.
The Rams listed him as doubtful to return.

Why it matters: The Rams signed Grupe off the New York Jets' practice squad after releasing Harrison Mevis. Mevis missed a potential 48-yard overtime winner against Buffalo.

Second straight game the Rams' kicker had to stop a returner on a kickoff.

The story so far

3 steps · since Oct 12

Oct 12Rams Vow Kicking Changes After Costly Overtime Loss to Bills7 sources
Oct 13Report: Rams Cut Kicker Harrison Mevis After Overtime Loss11 sources
Oct 18Rams' Kicker Blake Grupe Injured in DebutYou are hereLatest

How 7 sources split on this story

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

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Coverage by lean% of 7 sources

7 sources · 7 articles · 57% Center coverage

Center coverage, 4 sources: The center frames it as a straightforward injury update, noting the Rams may already need another kicker.

USA Today2hRams' new kicker Blake Grupe forced out with injury just minutes into debut Heavy2hRams Announce Bad News on History-Making Veteran During Cardinals Game Newsweek2hRams HC Sean McVay Throws More Shade at Recently Cut Kicker Harrison Mevis PennLive1hRams thought they solved their kicker problem. Minutes later, everything changed

Left1 source

Cleveland.com1hRams thought they solved their kicker problem. Minutes later, everything changed

Right coverage, 2 sources: The right frames it as the latest chapter in a Rams kicking curse, blaming poor kickoff coverage for exposing the kicker.

New York Post2hRams’ kicking curse strikes again as new kicker Blake Grupe gets hurt Fox News45mRams kicker Blake Grupe knocks himself out of his debut with a disastrous tackle attempt

What’s next: Punter Ethan Evans practiced field goals on the sideline and could kick in an emergency.

An Evans attempt would make him the franchise's ninth field goal kicker since 2020.
How serious is Grupe's knee injury, and how long will he be out?
Will the Rams sign another kicker this week?