The Los Angeles Rams released kicker Harrison Mevis on Tuesday, one day after a blocked field-goal attempt in overtime of the team’s 37-34 loss to the Buffalo Bills, according to the supplied report. The Rams signed Blake Grupe from the New York Jets’ practice squad as his replacement; NFL Network first reported the moves, the report said.
Mevis missed a 50-yard attempt in the first quarter and had a 48-yard kick blocked in overtime. Rams coach Sean McVay said after the game that the team’s kicking performance was “not even close to good enough” and added, “It cost us the game tonight.” Mevis said he believed he had struck the overtime kick well, according to the report.
Mevis joined the Rams’ active roster last November. The supplied report says he made 12 of 13 field-goal attempts and all 39 extra points in nine regular-season games last season, and converted all six field goals and nine extra points in the playoffs. In the team’s first five games this season, he made five of nine field-goal attempts.
Grupe, 27, has played for the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints over three seasons, according to the report. He made 86 of 106 field-goal attempts and 96 of 98 extra-point attempts in that span. With Indianapolis last season, he converted all 11 of his field-goal attempts in five games.
The report also cited a history of special-teams difficulties for Los Angeles, stating that Rams kicks missed or blocked since McVay took over in 2017 rank third-highest in the NFL, including postseason play.
