The Rams’ kicking game is an absolute mess right now, and they’re bringing in a pair of veteran boots, Brandon McManus and Matt Prater, for a workout this Tuesday. Seriously, it’s getting wild down there in LA.
Who’s Out and Why the Rams Are Desperate
This isn’t just some casual tryout, folks. The Rams are in full-blown kicker crisis mode. Blake Grupe, their latest guy, just landed on injured reserve this Monday after he jacked up his knee in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals. Get this: it was Grupe’s first game for the Rams. Talk about bad luck, or maybe just bad vibes for their special teams unit.
But wait, there’s more. Grupe wasn’t even the first kicker to get the axe this season. Harrison Mevis started the year for them, but the Rams cut him loose after Week 5. Why? Because the dude missed a field goal and had another one blocked. You can’t make this stuff up. Now they’re basically running on fumes and hoping some veteran magic shows up.
Two NFL Veterans Ready For the Spotlight
So, who are these “legends” stepping into the chaos? First up, we’ve got Brandon McManus. He’s been around, playing for the Packers the last two seasons where he hit 44 of 51 field goals. Before that, he was with the Jaguars in 2023, and spent his first nine seasons slinging it for the Broncos. The guy’s got a track record.
Then there’s Matt Prater, who’s practically a kicking dinosaur in the best way possible. This dude has been in the league for 19 seasons! He was Buffalo’s kicker, and he was money, going 18 of 20 on field goals during the regular season. But the real kicker here (pun intended) is that he nailed his 82nd field goal from at least 50 yards in his career. That’s an NFL record! Eighty-two from 50-plus! Imagine having that kind of leg strength.
What’s Next For the Rams’ Kicking Game?
So, the Rams are basically holding an open audition for these two seasoned pros. With their kicking situation blowing up twice already this season, they need someone to step in and stabilize things, ASAP. You gotta wonder which one of these guys, McManus with his recent accuracy or Prater with his monster leg and NFL record, will get the nod to stop the bleeding. It’s a huge decision for LA, and frankly, it’s gotta be stressing out their fans knowing how critical a reliable kicker is in this league.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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