Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up
Odds by

    Grupe has ‘clear lead’ in kicker competition

    Link copied to clipboard!
    Link copied to clipboard!

    The Indianapolis Star’s Nathan Brown reports Blake Grupe “has the clear statistical lead” in the Colts’ kicking competition.

    Grupe is competing with Spencer Schrader for the Colts’ starting gig, and through a week of training camp, Grupe has been more accurate. Brown said the team is evaluating other factors as well, including ball flight and pre-practice kicks from Grupe and Schrader. The Colts in 2025 tied for tenth in team field goal attempts. That sort of opportunity will make Grupe or Schrader fantasy viable in 2026 as long as Daniel Jones is healthy.
Is this the best Bears team since '85?
Dan Le Batard and the crew analyze what makes the Chicago Bears offense so dangerous, why Caleb Williams is coming for MVP, and why this might be the best Bears team since they won the Super Bowl over 40 years ago.

Related Player News

  • LA Kicker #19
    Personalize your Rotoworld feed by favoriting players
    It’s a torn ACL for Grupe, who will now miss the rest of the season. The Rams will reshuffle the kicker deck again in Week 7, keep refreshing the page over the next few days to learn who it will be.
  • LA Kicker #19
    Bringing back Harrison Mevis, whom the Rams waived five days ago, is one option, but it is unclear whether either side wants a reunion. The Rams might want to bring a few special teams contributors aboard while they’re at it. Grupe was injured during a tackle attempt because yet another return had scooted right past the Rams’ special teams coverage unit. The Rams rank outside the top 25 in average kick return yards allowed and average punt return yards allowed. Minimizing kicker tackling attempts in the future is probably a good call.
  • LA Kicker #19
    Grupe will be credited with tackling Cardinals returner Devin Duvernay because he technically knocked Duvernay out of bounds, but the engagement proved costly. Duvernay got behind the Rams’ punt coverage, and Grupe valiantly lowered his shoulder in an attempt to bring Duvernay down. Duvernay responded in kind and sent Grupe tumbling to the ground before jogging out of bounds. Grupe struggled to get up and was eventually helped off the field. Rams P Ethan Evans is the emergency kicker. Grupe was later ruled out.
  • Going 5-for-9 on the season will get you replaced in the modern NFL, as Thiccer Kicker Harrison Mevis is learning. It’s not totally fair, one of those was blocked, but clearly the Rams were not happy with how things were trending. Grupe is a worthwhile pickup in leagues that still use kickers. He went 11-for-11 for the Colts last year after being released by the Saints at midseason.
  • NYJ Kicker #19
    Sanders somehow won the kicking job over Blake Grupe despite Grupe being on the active roster and Sanders falling to the practice squad. Sure. Well, anyway, Grupe is being waived. Sanders will continue to kick for the Jets.
  • NYJ Kicker #19
    This is notable because Sanders is currently on the Jets’ practice squad while veteran kicker Blake Grupe is on the 53-man roster. Fantasy managers expecting Grupe to contribute to their Week 1 lineups will want to make sure they find a replacement. Sanders certainly makes for a viable option after he converted 37-of-41 field goal attempts last season while going 12-of-14 from distances of 50-plus yards.
  • NYJ Kicker #10
    Jason Sanders, who had won the Jets kicker competition, is instead released to make way for Grupe. As we wrote about Sanders a few days ago: Winning the Jets kicker competition is not an endorsement that provides many fantasy points. Grupe will probably be stuck in the 20s in weekly ranks in most of the Jets games this year.
  • FA Kicker #10
    Grupe, who had a “90% make rate in camp” per Mike Garafolo, has a chance to come aboard late and win a different kicking job. Spencer Shrader will kick for the Colts this year.
  • IND Kicker #10
    Grupe appeared in only five games for the Colts in 2025 but went a perfect 11-for-11 with the team. He was signed in December after making only 18 of 26 attempts with the Saints to start the year. His efforts to end the season earn him a chance to prove his worth on the modest deal. Spencer Shrader remains under team control, setting up a potential kicker battle in camp and preseason.
  • IND Kicker #10
    Grupe, who was released by the Saints in early December after making just 18 of his 26 field goal tries, came through big time for Indy in their near-upset of the Seahawks. Grupe nailed a 60-yarder to take the lead in the fourth quarter — a kick that would have been good from at least 65 yards. Grupe will be a decent streaming option in Week 16 against the 49ers.

Rotoworld

  • Personalize your Rotoworld feed by favoriting players
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Eagles waived CB Jakorian Bennett.

    Bennett was acquired by the Eagles in a swap with the Raiders before the start of last season. The 26-year-old played 98 defensive snaps in two seasons for Philly, spending all of the 2026 season on injured reserve with a knee injury. The Eagles now waive Bennett from injured reserve.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #13
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson said “indications point to Broncos WR Pat Bryant returning to practice this week.”

    Bryant has missed the Broncos’ last four games after being placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. The 23-year-old receiver is eligible to return whenever the Broncos deem him ready to do so, and his practicing this week would mean the team has opened his 21-day return window. Bryant has caught nine passes for 133 yards and one touchdown and was third among Broncos receivers in routes run (91) through the first four weeks of the season. He could make for an interesting stash in deeper leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn’t rush to put him in their lineups whenever he does return.
  • JAC Wide Receiver #7
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Brian Thomas Jr. “has been the area of interest for a lot of other teams.”

    Thomas is once again the subject of trade talks as next week’s trade deadline rapidly approaches. The 24-year-old receiver, who broke out for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, has earned just 22 targets through seven games this season and has a 10-117-2 line. With so many wide receiver-needy teams out there, it’s hard to imagine the Jaguars holding Thomas, who has become more of an afterthought in the offense, but they’ve resisted trading him over the last year despite multiple teams showing interest.
  • Link copied to clipboard!

    Saints released K Daniel Carlson.

    Carlson has converted 8-of-12 field goals this season and is 16-for-18 on PATs. The veteran kicker who is known for his big leg has seen all four of his misses come on distances of 50-plus yards, but that was more than enough for the Saints to look in a different direction. Practice squad kicker Charlie Smyth, who converted 12 of his 16 field goal attempts for the Saints last season has a chance to be the next man up when the Saints take on the Browns in Week 9.
  • Link copied to clipboard!

    Ravens placed K Tyler Loop (groin) on injured reserve.

    Loop will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks after suffering a right groin injury in Sunday’s loss to the Bills. The second-year kicker competed for the starting kicker job in camp and has struggled during parts of this season. He has converted on 13 of his 17 field goal attempts this year, with his four misses all coming from inside 50 yards. Veteran Jake Moody is set to take over in Loop’s absence when the Ravens face the Jaguars on Thursday night. Loop will be eligible to return in Week 14 when the Ravens play host to the Buccaneers.
  • NYG Cornerback #20
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Giants signed CB Greg Newsome to a three-year, $46 million contract extension.

    Newsome signed a one-year $8 million contract with the Giants this offseason and is now being rewarded for his strong play during the first half of this season. The 26-year-old corner has allowed just 174 receiving yards on 26 targets this season, per PFF, earning a coverage grade of 66.1. He has been one of the league’s better outside corners this season and will now be under contract with the Giants through the 2029 season.
  • Link copied to clipboard!

    Bills released DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

    Shortly after being reinstated from suspension for a spitting incident in Week 6 against the Raiders, Gardner-Johnson is now in search of a new home. The 28-year-old safety started all six games he appeared in for the Bills this season, earning a PFF defensive grade of 55.2 while allowing 11 receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets. Gardner-Johnson has played for four different teams since 2024 and is now free to sign with anyone willing to take on the 28-year-old vet.
  • WAS Defensive Tackle #99
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Commanders placed DT Javon Kinlaw (knee) on injured reserve.

    Kinlaw was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Eagles and will now miss at least the next four games after landing on IR. Kinlaw has tallied 13 tackles and one sack for the Commanders this season and will be eligible to return in Week 13 when the Commanders take on the Titans.
  • WAS Running Back #26
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Commanders placed RB Jeremy McNichols (foot) on injured reserve.

    McNichols is believed to have suffered a severe foot injury in Sunday night’s win over the Eagles. While he is still seeking additional opinions, it was reported on Monday that he is expected to miss multiple months, which could mean this is a season-ender. McNichols has spent the last three seasons with the Commanders, contributing primarily on special teams while also mixing in for an occasional offensive play.
  • IND Defensive Tackle #95
    Player Stats
    Link copied to clipboard!

    Colts signed DT Adetomiwa Adebawore to a two-year, $35 million contract extension.

    Adebawore, 25, is in the midst of a breakout season for the Colts. After setting career highs in tackles (36), TFLs (5), and sacks (4.0) last season, the fourth-year pro has already tallied four sacks and four TFLs in his first eight games of this season. While the Colts are in the middle of a rebuild, the decision to sign Adebawore to an extension means he’s one of the players they hope to build around in the years ahead. He is now under contract through the 2028 season.