The Los Angeles Rams hoped to turn a new page on Sunday after signing kicker Blake Grupe to replace Harrison Mevis following his four misses to begin the season. Things got off to a good start, as Grupe made the first kick of his Rams career, a 44-yard field goal.
However, promise turned into disaster on the very next play. Grupe replaced punter Ethan Evans on kickoffs and on his first one, the coverage team suffered another collapse by allowing Arizona Cardinals returner Deven Duvernay to hit a hole that lined him up with the team's new kicker. Grupe went to make a tackle, collided with Duvernay, and was removed from the game with a knee injury.
After the contest, The Sporting Tribune's Arash Markazi reports that Grupe was using crutches and
that his leg is in a brace.
Rams kicker Blake Grupe is on crutches and his leg is in a brace. He’s saying goodbye to his teammates on the way out of the locker room.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) October 18, 2026
In his post-game presser, head coach Sean McVay did not have an update on the injury.
"I don't have an update on him," said McVay. "I just know he got his knee."
McVay should have more on Monday, but if Grupe is unable to play next week, the team will be on its third kicker in three games. Punter Ethan Evans replaced Grupe, nailing his only kick, a point-after attempt to give the Rams the lead with less than a minute remaining in the game. Backup quarterback Stetson Bennett filled in as the holder.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams kicker Blake Grupe on crutches after suffering knee injury
