Blake Grupe’s torn ACL during Sunday’s brutal 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium forced the Los Angeles Rams into full-blown panic mode, triggering their search for a *third* kicker this 2026 NFL season. They looked at a legend, bringing in 42-year-old free agent Matt Prater for a workout, but in the end, they signed veteran Brandon McManus, 35.
A Kicking Legend Almost Rode To The Rescue
It’s wild to think the Rams were even considering Matt Prater. This guy has been in the league since 2006, a pure specialist in long-distance field goals, and he’s got the most 50+ yarders in NFL history. Talk about a cheat code for points if he was in his prime with Sean McVay! But age is real in the NFL, and even for kickers, diminished performance can end a career. Prater’s got the experience, sure, but his age makes you wonder. The Rams clearly felt that too, opting for the slightly younger McManus, who also worked out Tuesday.
The Rams Are In Absolute Chaos Mode
Let’s not bury the lede here: the Rams are desperate. Their season is an absolute nightmare. At 2-4 after six games, they’re dead last in the NFC West, a full four games behind the 49ers. And get this: they’ve already lost to San Francisco, so they can’t even count on sweeping them for a tiebreaker. Their divisional record is a pathetic 0-2, while the Niners are sitting pretty at 3-0. It’s a rough scene in LA, and now they’re just hoping McManus can somehow bring some stability to this mess of a special teams unit. The drama doesn’t stop there, though. Cardinals veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne took a direct shot at LA on Instagram after their win, saying, “Them boys ain’t the same wit out LaFleur.” He’s talking about Mike LaFleur, who was McVay’s offensive coordinator before jumping ship to become the Cardinals’ head coach this offseason. Ouch.
The clock is ticking for the Rams. They’ve got four “winnable” games coming up before their Week 11 bye, including a Week 10 rematch with the Cardinals, plus games against the Raiders, Chargers, and Commanders,all teams at or below .500. They absolutely HAVE to go on a run right now, because if they don’t, this season is already cooked. They needed a jolt, and while Prater was a wild card, they’re betting on McManus to somehow right the ship. Good luck, Rams. You’re gonna need it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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