Rams Kicker Blake Grupe Placed on Injured Reserve After ACL Tear

The Los Angeles Rams' special teams unit has suffered another significant blow with the news that newly signed kicker Blake Grupe has torn his ACL. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed Monday that Grupe will be placed on the team’s injured reserve following the injury sustained during Sunday’s 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Grupe tore his anterior cruciate ligament while attempting to make a tackle on the kickoff immediately after he successfully kicked a 44-yard field goal in the first quarter. He was seen grabbing his knee after the collision and was subsequently removed from the game.

McVay indicated that the team expects to have a new kicker in place within one to two days, though details are still being finalized. This marks the second consecutive week the Rams have been forced to find a replacement at the kicker position.

Grupe was signed less than a week ago, replacing Harrison Mevis, who was released by the team after a series of special teams errors in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. The Rams have experienced inconsistency at the kicking position over the past two seasons, having utilized Mevis and Joshua Karty last year.