The Rams are moving on from kicker Harrison Mevis a day after he missed two field-goal attempts in a 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills, according to reports.
The Rams are also signing former New Orleans kicker Blake Grupe off the New York Jets’ practice squad.
NFL Network reported Mevis’ release and Grupe’s signing Tuesday morning. The Associated Press, citing a person with knowledge of the decision who spoke on condition of anonymity, also reported the transactions.
The Rams’ special teams shakeup has not yet been publicly announced by the team.
Mevis missed on kicks of 50 and 48 yards. The latter attempt, which came in overtime, was tipped by the Bills’ Greg Rousseau, spoiling the Rams’ bid for a walk-off win.
Mevis had four missed field-goal attempts through five games — that’s the most in the NFL this season.
Head coach Sean McVay said after the game that the placekicking unit “cost us the game tonight.” The Rams (2-3) have been plagued by poor special teams play since the start of last season.
McVay vowed to make a thorough review of everything in that area of the game.
The Rams signed Mevis midway through last season to replace Joshua Karty, and the bulky newcomer dubbed “The Thiccer Kicker” made 12 of his 13 field-goal attempts in his first NFL season before going 6 for 6 in the playoffs. His only miss was costly, however, coming in a one-point overtime loss to eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle.
Mevis is just 5 for 9 on field goals this season, although he has yet to miss an extra-point attempt in his career.
Grupe is a four-year NFL veteran who spent his first 2 1/2 seasons as the New Orleans Saints’ kicker before getting released last November during a rough season. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts and finished strong, making all 11 of his field-goal attempts.
Grupe lost a training camp competition in Indianapolis to Spencer Shrader this summer.
Grupe will be the Rams’ fifth kicker in four seasons since the departure of Matt Gay, the kicker for their Super Bowl-winning team in the 2021 season.