Following a brutal hit against the Detroit Lions on Sunday night, an MRI later confirmed that Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee suffered a torn ACL and MCL, per head coach Sean McVay.
The hit was initiated by Lions safety Kerby Joseph, and he wrote a comment on social media saying “I don’t have no intention to hurt nobody and or harm their career."
Still, Higbee now faces a long road to recovery before next season.
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And per McVay, since the injury happened so late in the season, Higbee is likely a PUP candidate to start next season.
The play in question involves Higbee attempting to haul in a pass during the fourth quarter of the 24-23 loss, one that fell incomplete at the same time as the hit.
Higbee did not haul in a reception in the Wild Card game against the Lions, but he did have 47 receptions for 495 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season. He was selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Western Kentucky.
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Should Higbee indeed not be able to suit up in Week 1 for L.A., the Rams would likely turn to backup tight end Davis Allen. Allen saw limited action in the 2023 season, hauling in 10 catches for 95 yards and one score in his rookie campaign.
Allen also performed well in the absence of Higbee for the remainder of the matchup vs. Detroit, and exceeded expectations throughout the season when called upon.