Rams kicker Blake Grupe seen on crutches after knee injury against Cardinals
Blake Grupe was ruled out of his Rams debut after hurting his knee on a kickoff. A reporter later saw him leaving the locker room on crutches and wearing a brace.
Los Angeles Rams kicker Blake Grupe was seen leaving the locker room on crutches with his leg in a brace after injuring his knee against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, according to a reporter cited by Rams Wire. The Rams ruled him out during the game, leaving the team with a fresh concern at kicker days after signing him for the role.
Rams Wire attributed the postgame sighting to Arash Markazi of The Sporting Tribune, who said Grupe was saying goodbye to teammates as he left the locker room. Rams coach Sean McVay said afterward: ‘I don't have an update on him. I just know he got his knee.’ The team had not provided a diagnosis or timetable for his return.
How Grupe was injured against the Cardinals
Grupe made a 44-yard field goal in the first quarter, his first kick for Los Angeles. On the ensuing kickoff, he attempted to tackle returner Devin Duvernay and injured his knee. The Rams initially listed him as doubtful to return, then ruled him out, CBS Sports reported.
The postgame sighting adds to earlier coverage of Grupe's in-game injury. Punter Ethan Evans took over kicking duties and made a point-after attempt late in the game, with backup quarterback Stetson Bennett holding, according to Rams Wire. The makeshift arrangement shows why Grupe's availability matters immediately to the Rams' kicking operation.
Why the Rams changed kickers
Los Angeles signed Grupe after moving on from Harrison Mevis, whose missed kicks had become a problem early in the season. CBS Sports reported that Mevis missed both field-goal attempts in the Rams' overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills, including a blocked attempt that could have won the game. Grupe's injury came in his first appearance for his new team.
Grupe entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2023. He remained there until partway through the 2025 season and subsequently spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets. Before his Rams debut, he had made 86 of 105 career field-goal attempts and 96 of 98 extra-point attempts, CBS Sports reported.
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Sources and context
- Rams kicker Blake Grupe on crutches after suffering knee injuryRams Wire (republished by Yahoo Sports)
- Rams kicker Blake Grupe suffers knee injury: UpdatesCBS Sports
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