Blake Grupe will kick for the New Orleans Saints in Week 13 against the Detroit Lions. The rookie kicker has been dealing with a groin muscle injury, but he’s active — despite the team having signed a backup for him in veteran kicker Austin Seiebert earlier this week.
So he’ll have an opportunity to prove the job is his and his alone. Grupe has experienced some ups and downs this season but he scored all 15 points the Saints put on the board a week ago with five field goals in Atlanta. Saints head coach Dennis Allen has practiced a lot of patience with him, and the team clearly believes Grupe gives them the beset chance to win on Sunday.
We’ll see how he responds. Grupe has connected on 80% of his field goal tries this season, which ranks 24th around the league. But his 30 field goal attempts in his first 11 games are the third-most you’ll see in the NFL this season. Here’s hoping he comes through when the Saints call him up.
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