Rams kicker Blake Grupe knocks himself out of his debut with a disastrous tackle attempt
The Los Angeles Rams’ newly signed kicker Blake Grupe made a 44-yard field goal on his first drive, then injured his knee while trying to tackle Arizona returner Devin Duvernay on the following kickoff. He was taken to the locker room and ruled doubtful to return, leaving the team with another special-teams problem.
The Rams had signed Grupe days after waiving Harrison Mevis, whose missed 48-yard overtime attempt against Buffalo cost them the game. With no backup kicker on the active roster, punter Ethan Evans, who has no NFL field-goal attempts, took practice kicks as an emergency option; the article said the Rams might need to find a third kicker in seven days.
- Grupe hit a 44-yard field goal, then injured his knee on a tackle.
- He was doubtful to return against Arizona.
- The Rams had no backup kicker on their active roster.
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The Los Angeles Rams are a team in the National Football League (NFL), where kickers handle field goals and kick-offs as part of special teams. A field goal scores three points, while kick-offs give the opposing team a chance to return the ball.
Blake Grupe joined the Rams after they released Harrison Mevis, whose missed field goal in overtime against the Buffalo Bills preceded a Rams defeat. NFL teams usually have a designated kicker, and losing one can leave them without an experienced replacement.
Ethan Evans is the Rams’ punter, a player whose usual job is to kick the ball downfield when his team gives up possession. He had not attempted an NFL field goal, so the Rams’ options mattered for their ability to score and manage kick-offs.