The Los Angeles Rams have released kicker Harrison Mevis following a costly performance in their 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The team signed Blake Grupe from the New York Jets' practice squad on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, to replace him.
Mevis missed two field goals against Buffalo on Monday night, including a 50-yard attempt that went wide left in the first quarter.
His 48-yard attempt in overtime was blocked by Bills linebacker Gregory Rousseau, sealing the loss.
During the 2026 season, Mevis converted five of nine field goal attempts and made all 14 extra points.
In the previous season with Los Angeles, he made 18 of 19 field goals and all 23 extra points.
Head coach Sean McVay expressed frustration with the kicking game after the defeat.
"In the kicking game, especially with our PAT, field goal, not even close to good enough," McVay told reporters.
"It cost us the game tonight."
The Rams also allowed a 70-yard opening kickoff return to Buffalo running back Ray Davis, which led to a Bills field goal.
Despite these issues, McVay said on Tuesday that special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone would remain in his position.
"I have a lot of confidence in Bubba Ventrone," McVay said, according to NFL. com.
"There’s no changes that are gonna be made there. We’re gonna keep working."
Ventrone was hired in January after the Rams dismissed previous special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn in December.
Blackburn's departure followed costly mistakes in a 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Assistant special teams coach Ben Kotwica took over on an interim basis, but the Rams later muffed a punt in the NFC Championship Game.
Ventrone previously served as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns for three seasons.
His coaching career also includes stints with the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.
Mevis had entered the 2026 season after replacing Joshua Karty, who struggled the previous campaign.
Karty made five of 15 field goals and missed three of 26 extra-point attempts before being waived.
McVay described the decision to manage the kicking position with two players as a "roster management" issue.
Grupe, 27, brings experience from the New Orleans Saints and Colts.
He converted 86 of 105 career field goal attempts (81.9%) and made 96 of 98 extra points between 2023 and 2025.
His longest successful field goal is 60 yards, though he has converted 19 of 27 attempts from at least 50 yards.
The Jets claimed Grupe off waivers on August 31, 2026, after the Colts released him the previous day.
His signing gives Los Angeles another option as the 2-3 Rams prepare to host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Before Mevis' release, McVay had said he would "evaluate everything" concerning the team's kicking operation.
The Rams ultimately chose Grupe while leaving Ventrone in charge of the special teams unit.
