Rams’ kicking curse strikes again as new kicker Blake Grupe gets hurt

At this point, somebody might want to check whether the Los Angeles Rams’ special teams unit was built on an ancient burial ground.

Because whatever curse has been haunting the Rams’ kicking game apparently followed their newest kicker straight onto the field Sunday afternoon.

Blake Grupe, making his Rams debut after replacing Harrison Mevis earlier this week, drilled a 44-yard field goal to give Los Angeles an early 3-0 lead over the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium.

Seconds later, he was being helped off the field with a knee injury.

You can’t make this stuff up.

On the ensuing kickoff, Arizona returner Devin Duvernay broke through the Rams’ coverage unit, leaving Grupe as the last line of defense between him and the end zone.

The 5-foot-7, 150-pound kicker managed to force Duvernay out of bounds, saving a potential touchdown. Unfortunately, he injured his knee making the tackle and subsequently headed to the locker room with trainers.

The Rams listed him as doubtful to return.

For the second consecutive game, Los Angeles’ kickoff coverage was so poor that its kicker was forced to make a touchdown-saving tackle.

Last Monday against Buffalo, it was the 6-foot-1, 250-plus-pound Mevis, nicknamed the “Thiccer Kicker,” who pushed the Bills’ returner out of bounds on the opening kickoff.

Mevis subsequently missed two field goals, including a potential overtime game-winner, prompting the Rams to release him Tuesday and sign Grupe off the New York Jets’ practice squad.

Now, after one successful kick, his replacement might be sidelined too.

Rams punter Ethan Evans was spotted practicing field goals on the sideline and could be pressed into emergency duty. If he attempts one, Evans would become the franchise’s ninth different field goal kicker since 2020.

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