Rams Lose New Kicker Blake Grupe to Injury in First Quarter

The Los Angeles Rams' special teams have been a mess for five weeks, and the unit just got hit hard to open their Week 6 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. 

During the second kickoff of the game, the Cardinals nearly had their kickoff returner break away for a touchdown, which led to Rams kicker Blake Grupe having to make a tackle. That tackle led to Grupe needing to be helped off the field.

Grupe is officially doubtful to return with a knee injury.

Grupe looked very shaken up as he walked off the field and walked into the blue medical tent. 

With Grupe presumably not being able to return to the game, the Rams have to move into an emergency situation. Reports have indicated that punter Ethan Evans is practicing kicks on the sideline, while wide receiver Jordan Whittington is practicing holding the ball.

Los Angeles had just brought Grupe in this past week, as former kicker Harrison Mevis struggled to start the season. After a missed kick in Week 5, he was released by the team.

This led the Rams to sign Grupe, who has now been injured. This is a nightmare situation for the special teams unit.

Grupe has not been ruled out, but he was limping off the field after making the touchdown-saving tackle. However, his doubtful status points to him likely not being able to return.

Considering the injury is to his knee, Grupe would not be effective when attempting to make kicks.

The hope for the Rams is that Evans can act as both the team's punter and kicker moving forward. 

Evans has yet to be called on to make a kick, but that could happen considering how strong the Cardinals defense has been to open the game. Divisional games are always tough, and this could be a defensive showdown between both teams.

Grupe had already made a kick before he suffered the injury. Even without having to kick many field goals, it will be Evans having to go out and make extra points if the Rams score touchdowns.

Depending on how severe the injury to Grupe is, the Rams will be in the market for a kicker following the conclusion of Week 6. There are no further details about the severity of Grupe's injury, but having to be helped off the field and going into the blue medical tent is never a good thing.