INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams might be searching for another kicker just days after making a change at the position following their overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.
Blake Grupe, who signed with the Rams earlier this week after the team released Harrison Mevis, suffered a knee injury during the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Arizon Cardinals after making a tackle on a kickoff return. The team listed him as doubtful to return.
Grupe's afternoon began on a positive note when he connected on a 44-yard field goal to cap the Rams' opening drive. Moments later, the 27-year-old kicker found himself in the middle of a special teams collision that could leave Los Angeles scrambling to fill the position for the second time in less than a week.
On the ensuing kickoff, Grupe lowered his shoulder to push return specialist Devin Duvernay out of bounds at the 47-yard line. Grupe immediately went down following the tackle and remained on all fours in visible pain before the Rams' training staff helped him off the field.
Grupe was initially evaluated inside the blue medical tent before heading to the locker room for further examination. He was subsequently listed as doubtful to return with a knee injury. The Rams went for an unsuccessful two-point conversion instead of having punter Ethan Evans attempt an extra point kick in the second quarter. Evans assumed kickoff duties with Grupe out.
The injury comes at an especially frustrating time for the Rams, who signed Grupe off the New York Jets' practice squad earlier this week hoping to stabilize a kicking situation that had already cost them a potential victory.
Los Angeles released Mevis after his potential game-winning 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked in overtime against Buffalo on Monday night. The missed opportunity prompted coach Sean McVay and the Rams to make an immediate change at the position, bringing in Grupe ahead of Sunday's game.
Grupe, who played collegiately at Arkansas State and Notre Dame, was expected to provide a fresh start for a Rams kicking unit that had come under scrutiny following the loss to the Bills.
Instead, his first game with the Rams took an unfortunate turn almost immediately after he delivered his first successful field goal.