Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) breaks up a catch attempt by Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Report: MRI confirms torn ACL for Rams TE Tyler Higbee

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

An MRI confirmed the injury, per the report.

Higbee was injured during Los Angeles’ 24-23 NFC wild-card loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He was trying to secure a pass from Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford when Lions safety Kerby Joseph went low, diving headfirst into his knee with 5:05 left in the game.

Prior to that play, Higbee had not been targeted in the contest.

Medical staff had to help Higbee to the sideline, but he did walk off the field under his own power.

Following the game, Kerby said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he had “no intention to hurt nobody and or harm their career.”

In 15 regular-season games during the 2023 season, Higbee, who turned 31 on Jan. 1, had 47 catches for 495 yards and two touchdowns. He just completed his eighth NFL season and has spent his entire career with the Rams.

Los Angeles went 10-7 this season before getting knocked out of the playoffs on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) leaves the field after losing a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Rams think TE Tyler Higbee has torn ACL

The Los Angeles Rams believe tight end Tyler Higbee tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 24-23 NFC wild-card loss to the Detroit Lions, ESPN reported early Monday morning.

Higbee was trying to secure a pass from Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford when Lions safety Kerby Joseph went low, diving headfirst into his knee with 5:05 left in the game. Higbee walked off the field under his own power with the assistance of Rams medical staff.

Prior to that play, Higbee had not been targeted in the contest.

In 15 regular-season games, Higbee, who turned 31 on Jan. 1, had 47 catches for 495 yards and two touchdowns. He just completed his eighth NFL season and has spent his entire career with the Rams.

Los Angeles went 10-7 this season before getting knocked out of the playoffs on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams place kicker Lucas Havrisik (8) kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams still mulling move of K Mason Crosby to active roster

The Los Angeles Rams appear ready to stay the course at kicker on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens despite signing veteran Mason Crosby to the practice squad this week.

“We haven’t decided that yet,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said Friday of possibly promoting Crosby to the 53-man roster. “More than likely we probably will not go that direction. But we’ll see.”

Crosby was a likely replacement for rookie kicker Lucas Havrisik, who has gone 7 of 10 on field-goal attempts in five games since taking over from Brett Maher. Despite a strong leg, Havrisik’s kicks have drifted to the right in recent weeks and he has missed two field goals in the last two games.

The Rams (6-6) signed Crosby on Wednesday. A free agent since making 25 of 29 field goals with the Green Bay Packers in 2022, Crosby worked out for the Rams on Oct. 25, but Los Angeles signed Havrisik, 24, off the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad instead.

Crosby, 39, kicked for the Packers from 2007-22 and is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer (1,918 points). Crosby ranks 13th in NFL history with 395 made field goals.

McVay also said that tight end Tyler Higbee will be listed as doubtful heading into the weekend after he received a neck stinger in last Sunday’s victory over the Browns.

Outside linebackers Michael Hoecht (knee) and Byron Young (knee) are listed as questionable, as is defensive back/safety Quentin Lake (hamstring). All three will be limited in practice Friday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) catches a pass over Cincinnati Bengals safety Dax Hill (23) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Rams TE Tyler Higbee signs 2-year contract extension

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee signed a two-year contract extension that spans through the 2025 season on Friday.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the team for Higbee, however NFL Network reported the deal has a base value of $27 million — $17 million guaranteed — and could be worth a maximum of $30.5 million.

Higbee, 30, is playing in the final season of a four-year, $29 million extension.

“He is a glue guy for this team,” Rams coach Sean McVay said of Higbee on Friday. “Really cool to see him honored as a captain, voted on by his teammates this year. He epitomizes a lot of the things we’re looking for in Rams. Mentally and physically tough, loves to compete (and) he’s got versatility. We ask a lot of our tight ends. He sets the example every single day.

Higbee has recorded 11 catches for 132 yards in three games this season. He has 317 receptions for 3,239 yards and 20 touchdowns in 113 career games (104 starts) since being selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Western Kentucky.

–Field Level Media

Jan 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) reacts after a catch during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Rams TE Tyler Higbee (knee) will miss Super Bowl

The Los Angeles Rams put starting tight end Tyler Higbee on injured reserve Friday, meaning he will miss Sunday’s Super Bowl game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Offensive tackle Joseph Noteboom (chest) was also put on IR.

In corresponding moves, the Rams activated running back Darrell Henderson Jr. and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day from IR.

Higbee, 29, was injured in the first quarter of the NFC Championship game against San Francisco two weeks ago. He played just 14 offensive snaps – catching two passes — before exiting with the injury.

Higbee caught 61 passes for 560 yards and matched his career high of five touchdowns in 15 regular-season games. The receptions and yardage were the second most of his six-year career, all with the Rams.

Henderson has been out since injuring his knee in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings. He has 688 yards rushing and five touchdowns in 12 games (10 starts) during the regular season.

Head coach Sean McVay said earlier in the week that he expected Henderson to play, joining starter Cam Akers and Sony Michel in the rotation. McVay said the Rams will ride whichever running back has the “hot hand” during the game.

Joseph-Day has been out since Week 8 with a pectoral injury that required surgery. Joseph-Day had a career-high three sacks in seven games (all starts) to that point.

–Field Level Media

Jan 30, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) is upended by the San Francisco 49ers in the first half during the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Rams TE Tyler Higbee avoids serious knee injury

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee avoided significant damage to his knee during the NFC Championship Game, NFL Network reported Monday.

The extent of the injury — as well as his availability for Super Bowl LVI — is not immediately known, however.

Kendall Blanton would see a significant uptick in playing time should Higbee sit out against the Cincinnati Bengals on Feb. 13 in Inglewood, Calif.

Blanton, 26, had five catches for 57 yards in Sunday’s 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He totaled four receptions for 37 yards in 11 games this season.

Higbee limped off the field Sunday after he was injured during the first quarter.

The 29-year-old Higbee caught two passes for 18 yards before exiting. He has nine catches for 115 yards in three games this postseason.

Higbee caught 61 passes for 560 yards and matched his career high of five touchdowns in 15 regular-season games. The receptions and yardage were the second most of his six-year career, all with the Rams.

–Field Level Media

Jan 30, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) is upended by the San Francisco 49ers in the first half during the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rams TE Tyler Higbee (knee) out of NFC title game

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee sustained a knee injury and was later ruled out of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Higbee was injured in the first quarter and limped off the field. The Rams ruled him out early in the third quarter.

The 29-year-old Higbee caught two passes for 18 yards before exiting. He has nine catches for 115 yards in three games this postseason.

Higbee caught 61 passes for 560 yards and matched his career high of five touchdowns in 15 regular-season games. The receptions and yardage were the second most of his six-year career, all with the Rams.

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during the game against the Tennessee Titans at SoFi Stadium. The Titans defeated the Rams 28-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rams’ Jalen Ramsey, Tyler Higbee (COVID) out Monday

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Tyler Higbee were placed on the reserve/COVID list, leaving the team minus two starters hours before their Monday Night Football matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Rams now have five players on the COVID list. Running back Darrell Henderson, right tackle Rob Havenstein and cornerback Donte’ Deayon were put on the list over the weekend.

Ramsey, 27, is in his third season with the Rams and leads the team with three picks and 11 pass breakups. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and 2020.

Ramsey was likely to be tasked with covering Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins during Monday’s game at Arizona.

Higbee, 28, has 44 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns this season, his sixth with Los Angeles. Both Higbee and Ramsey started all 12 games for the Rams this season before Monday’s news.

The Rams also activated from LB Justin Hollins from injured reserve.

The Rams (8-4) are chasing the Cardinals (10-2) for the NFC West lead. Arizona won the first meeting this season, 37-20.

–Field Level Media