The Los Angeles Rams’ improbable season came to an end on Sunday night in a 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions. The battle between Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff lived up to expectations, with both quarterbacks giving it their all at Ford Field.
The Rams never led at any point in the matchup but kept it close until the very end. They entered the fourth quarter trailing 24-20, but trimmed the deficit to one point with eight minutes remaining in the game.
After the defense forced a three-and-out, the Rams offense got the ball back with just over seven minutes left. An unfortunate injury occurred on the team’s final drive as Tyler Higbee took a low hit from Lions safety Kerby Joseph while attempting to catch a pass over the middle.
Higbee was down for a while before eventually walking off the field under his own power with the help of the Rams training staff. He did not return to the game.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Rams’ initial fear is that Higbee tore his ACL, but he will undergo testing to confirm the diagnosis:
Rams believe TE Tyler Higbee tore his ACL after absorbing a low hit from Detroit safety Kerby Joseph, per sources. There will be additional testing to confirm the initial diagnosis. pic.twitter.com/ZnojOTMwci
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2024
If Higbee indeed tore his ACL, he could be sidelined for at least part of the 2024 season. Some players take up to 12 months to return to the field from a torn ACL, but it all depends on the severity.
Higbee signed a two-year, $27 million contract extension with the Rams this past September that keeps under contract through the 2025 season.
Davis Allen began to emerge at the end of his rookie season and that could continue to be the case going into 2024 if Higbee is forced to miss time.
Tyler Higbee 2023 season with Rams
Higbee caught 47 of his 70 targets for 495 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games during the regular season. He did not have any receptions in the Rams’ Wild Card loss to the Lions.
