Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee was able to piece together his best performance of the 2019 NFL season during the win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13.
The Rams receiving corps was shorthanded on the road after tight end Gerald Everett was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Fortunately, Higbee was able to flash his prowess as a pass-catcher with seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Aside from a career day as a receiver, Higbee also helped create some room to work with for running back Todd Gurley after he rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown one 5.0 yards per carry. Although his stellar outing may have come as a surprise to some, it seems his teammates already knew full well what he was capable of.
Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp credits Higbee for all that he does in both the run game and the passing game, via Gary Klein of the L.A. Times:
“An incredible football player,” receiver Cooper Kupp called him. “You might not always see him in that stat book. But what he does behind the scenes, what he does up front and blocking, what he does in pass [protection], even the routes that he does run … you see him competing. He was due for this. It was inevitable.”
There is no question that Higbee’s contributions have largely gone unnoticed. While he is the starting tight end, he has largely served as the primary blocker while Everett is more involved as a pass-catcher.
Regardless, Higbee showed that he is fully capable of taking on more of a complete role when asked. Even head coach Sean McVay was admittedly pleased to see him flash his skill set as a complete tight end and it could very well call for more consistent looks from quarterback Jared Goff moving forward.
The favorable matchup against a porous Cardinals defense was just what the Rams needed to get their offense back on track as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive entering the final stretch of the 2019 NFL season. They are hoping to carry that momentum into next’s pivotal NFC West showdown versus the Seattle Seahawks at home.
Although it is encouraging to see Higbee flourish in his expanded role, it is safe to say that Los Angeles is still hoping Everett will be able to resume his duties in Week 14. Goff will need every weapon at his disposal available if they are going to secure a must-win against Seattle.
