The Los Angeles Rams begin training camp with a mostly healthy roster, a contrast from the previous years where veterans like Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp spent the offseason nursing injuries.
Stafford and Kupp are back to full health and ready to lead the offense, though an underrated piece will be on the shelf as Tyler Higbee is recovering from a brutal knee injury he suffered in the Wild Card Round against the Detroit Lions. Higbee had a defender crash into his knee which tore both his ACL and MCL.
While Higbee underwent successful surgery to repair the ligaments, his status for the beginning of the 2024 season is up in the air. At the onset of training camp, head coach Sean McVay announced that Higbee would be the only Rams player that will be placed on the physically unable to perform list, via Sarah Barshop of ESPN:
Sean McVay said TE Tyler Higbee is the only player who will start training camp on the PUP list.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) July 23, 2024
The Rams then made it officially by playing Higbee on the PUP list on the first day of camp.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise as Higbee suffered the injury in January and will likely need time to recover and ramp up. Players put on the PUP list are eligible to come off at any time during training camp, though in this case it’s likely that Higbee misses time past Week 1 of the 2024 season.
With Higbee out for what should be at least most of training camp, McVay will get an opportunity to see more of Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen. Parkinson is one of the team’s free agency signings as they lured him away from the Seattle Seahawks with a three-year deal. Meanwhile, Allen is going into his second year and has shown promise as both a blocker and pass catcher.
McVay’s offense was fairly run-heavy last season, and that could continue after Los Angeles’ investment in its offensive line. Whenever Higbee does return, he should resume his place as the team’s No. 1 tight end, though he’ll have competition between Parkinson and Allen.
Colby Parkinson calls it a blessing to be back home in Los Angeles with Rams
Colby Parkinson might end up being a sneaky value signing for Los Angeles as he showed real flashes in the run and pass game in Seattle. Known for his run blocking, Parkinson should fit right in along the trenches.
Although he hasn’t suited up in a game yet, Parkinson expressed how much of a blessing it is to be back playing in Southern California.
