The Los Angeles Rams are said to be bringing in experienced kicker Brandon McManus following a season-ending injury to Blake Grupe, according to NFL analyst Ian Rapoport.
Grupe sustained a torn ACL during Sunday’s defeat against the Arizona Cardinals, as indicated by head coach Sean McVay. This match marked Grupe’s first appearance with the squad after being signed post the release of Harrison Mevis, who missed two field goals in the Week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Grupe successfully converted his first field-goal attempt during the first quarter, but on the subsequent kickoff, while attempting to make a tackle, he encountered trouble. Grupe failed to make the tackle and was thrown to the ground, resulting in a knee injury.
The kicker was declared out for the rest of the game. Later in the fourth quarter, the Rams went for an extra point, which punter Ethan Evans successfully converted. Earlier in the second quarter, Los Angeles attempted a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown, likely due to the absence of their kicker.
Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA season
In a message shared on social media, Grupe expressed gratitude to those who reached out and stated his intention to work diligently to return to the field.
“Not at all how I envisioned my time in LA. The energy and excitement I felt going into this game was incredible. I couldn’t wait to step on that field and showcase my abilities,” Grupe wrote. “Only option is to approach rehab with determination and come back stronger and more prepared than ever.”
McManus, aged 35, is currently in his 13th season within the NFL. After spending nine years with the Denver Broncos—where he became the franchise’s second all-time leading scorer with 946 points—McManus played one season for the Jacksonville Jaguars and then participated in the 2024 and 2025 NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Last season, he successfully kicked 24 out of 30 attempts across 14 games, including three field goals of 50 yards or more, with a season-long of 56 yards.
The Rams began the season as favorites to claim the Super Bowl with +650 odds. However, after six weeks, L.A. unexpectedly holds a record of 2-4 and has dropped in the odds rankings, now sitting at +1100 on FanDuel Sportsbook.
