With the 2025-26 regular season now concluded, the Los Angeles Rams will open up the playoffs on January 10th when they face the Carolina Panthers in a rematch of the Week 13 loss, 28-31.
Not much was on the line for the Rams in Week 18. The team was already out of the race for the number one seed in the conference and the division title, with the only thing they were gaining was better seeding as a wildcard team.
The Rams put their starters on the field in the final week of the regular season and were able to pull off the win against NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals, 37-20. The 49ers‘ loss to the Seahawks in a battle for the first seed and division title benefited LA, placing them as the fifth seed in the conference.
Even though there was no serious upside in the regular season closer, the Rams did welcome back one of their key offensive weapons ahead of the playoffs.
Return Of Rams All-Time Player
GettyAn offensive threat returned for the Rams in Week 18 of the regular season
With the Rams having a slightly short week (playing the Panthers on a Saturday), LA will need to be all full strength for the postseason, or as close as they can.
Los Angeles was able to get one of its best and longest-tenured players back on the game-day field in the final week after the player dealt with a leg injury, which arrived at a good time before the playoffs, having his best game of the season.
Tyler Higbee, who was dealing with an ankle injury, missed the last seven weeks of the regular season before returning in Week 18 against the Cardinals.
Despite being out for almost two months, the tight end was able to return with a big game. Higbee recorded 91 yards and caught a touchdown on 5 receptions, which was his best game of the season.
The tight end spoke to the media the day following the win over Arizona and was asked about returning to the field. Here’s what he had to say:
“It felt great [to be out there] playing ball with the boys… It was fun. [Trying] to make the most of it. It’s always a blessing. It was exciting.”
Higbee has the most chemistry with Matthew Stafford and should help the Rams’ offense move downfield in the wildcard game against the Panthers.
Injuries To Tight End Room
GettyAn injury to the position group forced Tyler Higbee to play more snaps
Tyler Higbee played 48 snaps in his return to the 53-man roster and delivered the most. According to head coach Sean McVay, Higbee wasn’t going to get as many snaps as he did, but an injury to the TE room allowed for the long-time Ram to get more snaps.
Rookie Terrance Ferguson, who has been performing well the last two weeks, was forced to be on the sideline for the season closer due to a hamstring injury.
Higbee said that he was just doing what the team needed from him, claiming it was a fun return.
Sean McVay has mentioned that Ferguson was going to practice in the week ahead of the game against Carolina. But with Higbee’s return, it adds comfort for the entirety of the Rams coaching staff to get one of the team’s most reliable players back on the squad.
With the 13-personnel package LA runs, a healthy tight end group would be a huge positive for LA.
Rams $17 Million Weapon Gets Honest About Return To Field