The Los Angeles Rams special teams unit has been a major talking point for a couple of years now. Head coach Sean McVay has frequently adjusted both the special teams coordinator and the kicker trying to get the unit to a stable place.
Unfortunately it did not pan out through their first five games of the season, and it was on full display during Monday Night Football. In Week 5, Los Angeles had a chance to win the game against the Buffalo Bills, but kicker Harrison Mevis had his kick blocked and Buffalo went on to win in overtime instead.
MORE: Rams make special teams changes following loss to Bills on MNF
It marked the second missed kick of the game for Mevis, and a day later the Rams cut him. They turned to Blake Grupe, who they signed off the New York Jets practice squad to replace him.
It started off well for Grupe during Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. The 27-year-old made his first field goal of the day, knocking one through the uprights from 44 yards out.
However, the kickoff that followed would lead to an unfortunate turn. Grupe kicked it off and Cardinals returner Devin Duvernay broke a few tackles with Grupe as the last man he had to beat.
Grupe pushed him out of bounds but injured himself in the process. Moments later, the Rams announced an update on his status, ruling him doubtful to return with a knee injury.
Blake Grupe Goes Down in 1st Quarter
Punter Ethan Evans is going to serve as the emergency kicker for now, but it is unlikely the Rams can rely on him for the rest of the game.
For a special teams unit that has been a persistent problem for Los Angeles, losing their second kicker in less than a week is about as bad as it gets. McVay will have another difficult decision to make at the position before the Rams take the field again in Week 7 if Grupe’s injury sidelines him long-term.
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