Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee was injured in the first half of the team’s Wild Card round matchup vs. the Minnesota Vikings. Here’s the latest injury update on the Rams tight end.
Tyler Higbee Exits in First Half of Wild Card Game
Higbee suffered a chest injury at some point, though it’s not entirely clear what play caused his injury. His last target was an 11-yard catch on third down with 4:47 remaining in the first quarter.
However, he exited the game shortly thereafter and was deemed doubtful to return with a chest injury. At the start of the second half, the Rams officially declared him out with a chest contusion.
Rams Injury Update: Tyler Higbee (chest) has been downgraded to OUT.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 14, 2025
Higbee was having a breakout game. The Rams’ starting tight end didn’t make his season debut until Week 16, missing nearly the entire regular season after suffering a torn ACL in last year’s Wild Card loss to the Detroit Lions.
At the time of his departure, Higbee recorded five catches on five targets for 58 yards, all team-highs. Higbee had eight catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns during his three-game cameo during the regular season.
Impact on Rams Offense if Higbee Is Out
The Rams have had a revolving door at tight end this season. Colby Parkinson has played the most snaps for the team and will presumably return to the top role if Higbee is out for an extended period. Davis Allen and Hunter Long are also on the active roster, though none of the three are significant receiving threats (despite Allen catching a 13-yard touchdown in the second quarter).
This offense runs through the “Big Three” of Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams. However, Higbee was the supporting cast pass-catcher with the most previous experience with Matthew Stafford and showed flashes of being a trusted red-zone option during his brief regular season. As the first half of the Wild Card game showed, he was finally getting back up to speed to handle a regular snap count.
Another significant injury in the Wild Card Round would be a devastating setback for a player who worked so hard to get back on the field.
After the game, Rams head coach Sean McVay noted Higbee was in the hospital in stable condition.
#Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters that TE Tyler Higbee (chest) is at the hospital in stable condition.
“I think he’s going to be ok.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2025
While it’s reassuring to hear that Higbee’s health is not in any long-term jeopardy, the early prognosis would seem to cast doubt on his ability to return to the field. Ensuring his long-term safety is the most important outcome in this scenario, which could force him out of the team’s Divisional Round trip to Philadelphia.