Tyler Higbee expected to make 2024 debut vs. Jets

The Rams veteran tight end is returning for the first time since suffering a brutal knee injury in the playoffs

The Los Angeles Rams, already firing on all cylinders going 7-2 in their last nine games, will welcome back a key piece to their offense in the return of TE Tyler Higbee. LA’s veteran tight end suffered a gruesome knee injury in team’s 2023 Wild Card loss to the Detroit Lions when safety Kerby Joseph went low on a tackle.

Head coach Sean McVay confirmed the team’s plans to potentially have Higbee return vs. the Jets on Friday.

“We haven’t made that move official, but all things that have gone on over the last couple weeks, we’ve kind of had the expectation and the anticipation that that will be something that would be a move that we anticipate making,” McVay said. “Now, none of it’s been finalized yet, but with the progress that he’s made over the last couple weeks, the way that he’s looked in practice, do expect him to be ready to go against the Jets. But don’t want to put 100% stamp on that, but that is the plan.”

Higbee finished his 2023 campaign with 47 receptions, 495 yards and two touchdowns. He holds pretty much every single tight end franchise record available for LA and has been a consistent staple of McVay’s offense since the Rams coach was hired in 2017.

Higbee’s leadership, along with his blocking skills and pass catching ability, should be a big improvement over his current replacement Colby Parkinson and second-year tight end Davis Allen, who have both struggled to stand out and find a significant roles in the offense thus far.

While the Rams do not tend to feed or focus on the tight end position like some teams, Higbee was always been a very reliable cog in the passing attack when he did get his opportunities, specifically being dangerous on 3rd and short type situations. Higbee could end up being the perfect answer to some of LA’s struggles in the red zone.

Currently, Los Angeles finds themselves in a solid position for a playoff run, already picking up a win this week on Thursday night football, while keeping control of their own fate in the NFC postseason race. Whether it’s a Wild Card position or a division title, the Rams most-likely will need to win at least two of their next three games, if not all three, to get into the playoffs. Higbee’s fresh return could be just the little bit of extra offensive fire power the team needs to push them over the edge for the final few weeks.