Rams Release Harrison Mevis and Sign Blake Grupe Following Overtime Loss

Los Angeles is signing Blake Grupe off the Jets' practice squad to replace Harrison Mevis, who missed two critical kicks in a 37-34 loss.

The Los Angeles Rams are releasing kicker Harrison Mevis and signing Blake Grupe off the New York Jets' practice squad, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo on Tuesday. The roster move follows a 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, during which Mevis missed a 50-yard field goal in the first quarter and had a potential game-winning 48-yard attempt blocked in the extra period. Mevis finishes his tenure in Los Angeles having converted 5-of-9 field goal attempts this season.

Coach Sean McVay stated the kicking unit's performance was "not even close to good enough" and directly attributed the defeat to special teams miscues. Since 2017, including postseason play, the Rams have recorded 81 missed or blocked kicks, the third-highest total in the NFL. Additionally, the team has seen three field goal attempts blocked since the start of last season, tying them for the most in the league during that span according to ESPN Research.

Blake Grupe joins the Rams after previously playing for the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. During his time with the Saints last season, Grupe was 18-for-26 on field goals before joining the Colts, where he successfully converted all 11 of his attempts. He will now work under special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, who was hired in January following the dismissal of Chase Blackburn.