Just one kick into his Los Angeles Rams debut, kicker Blake Grupe went down with a knee injury in their Week 6 game against the Arizona Cardinals, throwing the team’s already shaky kicking situation into absolute chaos. This wasn’t just bad luck, it felt like a cursed sequel.
The Kicker Carousel Spins Right Into a Wall
Let’s rewind a second, because this isn’t Grupe’s fault. The Rams had just waived Harrison Mevis, their previous kicker, after he missed a couple of field goals in their Week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills. So they brought in Grupe, hoping for some stability. And, to his credit, Grupe came out firing, nailing a 44-yard field goal attempt to open the scoring for the Rams. But then came the kickoff. Grupe was forced to make the tackle after a lengthy return, and he got spun violently after thumping the returner out of bounds. He came up limping, immediately heading to the locker room.
What’s Next For This Kicking Mess?
Initially, Grupe was spotted “limping with what looks like a shoulder injury as well,” but the official word came down quick: he’s doubtful to return with a knee injury. So, what’s the plan? Punter Ethan Evans is now on double duty, handling kicking, while wide receiver Jordan Whittington may take over holding for kicks. Talk about an emergency plan! This is a developing story, but right now, the Rams are playing without a recognized kicker, and that’s a wild card nobody wants to draw. We’re all waiting to see how Evans and Whittington hold up and for any updates on Grupe’s knee.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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