Rams general manager Les Snead confirmed Wednesday that Higbee (knee) has had surgery to address a torn ACL and MCL, but a timetable for his return is still uncertain, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports. Higbee suffered ligament damage to his right knee during the Rams' wild-card playoff loss to the Lions on Jan. 14, after taking a low hit on the offense's final drive. The timing of his injury puts his status for Week 1 of the 2024 season in serious doubt, and likewise makes him an unlikely candidate to be cleared for the start of training camp in late July. Behind the 31-year-old veteran on the depth chart are Davis Allen, Hunter Long (knee) and Brycen Hopkins, all of whom now look like candidates to begin the 2024 season in expanded roles, barring other additions to the tight-end room.
Unlock the latest Los Angeles Rams news — direct to your inbox.
Status
QUESTIONABLE - Knee - ACL + MCL - Surgery Expected Return: 2024-08-01Latest Tyler Higbee news
Receiving
Rams general manager Les Snead confirmed Wednesday that Higbee (knee) has had surgery to address a torn ACL and MCL, but a timetable for his return is still uncertain, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports. Higbee suffered ligament damage to his right knee during the Rams' wild-card playoff loss to the Lions on Jan. 14, after taking a low hit on the offense's final drive. The timing of his injury puts his status for Week 1 of the 2024 season in serious doubt, and likewise makes him an unlikely candidate to be cleared for the start of training camp in late July. Behind the 31-year-old veteran on the depth chart are Davis Allen, Hunter Long (knee) and Brycen Hopkins, all of whom now look like candidates to begin the 2024 season in expanded roles, barring other additions to the tight-end room.
Initially, the Rams included Higbee on their list of Week 12 inactives, but there was a mistake in submitting them, and instead defensive end Earnest Brown will be a healthy scratch. Higbee thus will handle his customary role as the team's top tight end, which so far has yielded a cumulative 27-303-0 line on 46 targets in 10 games while logging at least 86 percent of the offensive snaps on a weekly basis.
Despite playing a typical 91 percent of the snaps on offense, the veteran tight end saw a season-low one target and failed to make a catch for the first time since Week 12 in 2022. Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reported after Sunday's game that coach Sean McVay said that Higbee has been "fighting through a lot of stuff, and is playing with something that restricts his hand on his right thumb." Higbee also appeared to injure his left hand during the game as well, which could help explain the steep downturn in performance. The Rams' bye in Week 10 couldn't come at a better time with Matthew Stafford (thumb) also on the mend, with Higbee looking to recover in time for a Week 11 conference showdown with the Seahawks.
The 20-yard catch by Higbee on the Rams' first drive actually tied or eclipsed his receiving total in any of his last three contests, and the veteran accumulated the most yards, targets and receptions in any game since Week 4. The Rams' wideouts struggled against a stout Cowboys defense, leaving Higbee and running back Darrell Henderson to lead the team in receiving yardage. Notably, Higbee did receive two of backup Brett Rypien's 10 targets after Matthew Stafford left with a thumb injury, and he could act as a safety valve for Rypien in Week 9 versus Green Bay if Stafford is forced to miss any time.
Career History
Previous Game
2023 Post Season Stats
2023 Regular Season Stats
|
Recent games
|
receiving
|
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Date
|
Opp
|
Result
|
REC
|
TGTS
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TDS
|
LNG
|
YAC
|
|
Post Season
|
|||||||||
|
1/14
|
L 23-24
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
|
Regular Season
|
|||||||||
|
12/31
|
W 26-25
|
6
|
7
|
62
|
10.3
|
0
|
18
|
55
|
|
|
12/21
|
W 30-22
|
3
|
3
|
30
|
10
|
0
|
22
|
23
|
|
|
12/17
|
W 28-20
|
4
|
5
|
36
|
9
|
0
|
14
|
12
|
|
|
12/3
|
W 36-19
|
2
|
4
|
35
|
17.5
|
0
|
21
|
27
|
|
|
11/26
|
W 37-14
|
5
|
5
|
29
|
5.8
|
2
|
7
|
13
|
|
It's the offseason! 😎
Check back next season for fresh
AI-powered projections.
Can't wait for more data?
Join dfsPro Daily for free
AI-powered Fantasy Picks
Year-Round.