Although the Los Angeles Rams were able to advance to Super Bowl LVI with a win against the San Francisco 49ers, they had to do it without starting tight end Tyler Higbee.
Higbee sustained a knee injury in the first quarter and was later ruled out for the rest of the game. Prior to leaving, he had two catches on three targets for 18 yards.
Their offense took another hit in the second quarter when Van Jefferson left with a knee injury, but he was able to return to the game in the third quarter.
It was later determined Tyler Higbee suffered an MCL sprain, which could ultimately keep him out of the Super Bowl although the team is determined to get him ready for the game, according to Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
Rams head coach Sean McVay said TE Tyler Higbee suffered an MCL sprain against the 49ers.
"We're going to do everything we can to get this guy ready to go."
S Taylor Rapp "is looking like he's turning the corner in a positive way."
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) February 1, 2022
Higbee was replaced in the game by Kendall Blanton, who performed well for the team in a game that was full of unexpected heroes rising to the moment.
Blanton finished the game with five catches on five targets for 57 yards, outperforming 49ers’ star tight end George Kittle, who was limited to just two catches for 27 yards.
Higbee was the Rams’ second-leading receiver this season with 61 receptions and their third-most targeted player with 85. He also finished third on the team with 560 yards and five touchdowns.
In the playoffs, he’s added nine catches for 115 yards in their three games so far.
If he is unable to play in the big game in two weeks, the Rams will once again lean on Blanton to help replace Higbee’s production and they also have Brycen Hopkins on their active roster.
