Tyler Higbee’s Comeback: What It Means for the Rams’ Offense
Rams’ Tyler Higbee Prepares for Playoff Challenge
As the Los Angeles Rams gear up for their playoff matchup, veteran tight end Tyler Higbee, with experience in 12 NFL playoff games, offers invaluable insights. Having been a key player in two teams that reached the Super Bowl, Higbee emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process.
“Don’t listen to the outside noise,” Higbee stated when discussing the approach to a successful postseason run. “You don’t look at the ifs, the what-could-be’s. You just come in, work, and take it a day at a time. … Keep peaking week after week.”
The Rams, ranked fifth in the NFC, are set to face off against the fourth-seeded Carolina Panthers on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This game marks an opportunity for the Rams to seek redemption after suffering a loss to the Panthers in Week 13.
Higbee recently returned from injured reserve and made a significant impact in the Rams’ season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, where he played a prominent role, logging five catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in a decisive 37-20 victory. Initially expected to play limited snaps, his involvement increased when rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson was sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
“I was just excited the ball found me,” Higbee remarked, expressing satisfaction in contributing to the team’s success.
Head Coach Sean McVay welcomed Higbee’s return, noting the player’s renewed confidence and presence on the field. “You could just see there’s a swag; there’s a confidence,” McVay said.
Drafted in the fourth round in 2016, Higbee has been an integral part of the Rams’ offense since McVay became head coach in 2017. Alongside 11-year veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein, who is currently on injured reserve, and long snapper Jake McQuaide, Higbee remains a reliable force during the Rams’ seven playoff appearances under McVay’s leadership.
Throughout his career, Higbee has notched 386 receptions, 27 of which resulted in touchdowns. However, his influence extends beyond numbers. Quarterback Matthew Stafford highlighted Higbee’s character, stating, “The human being that celebrates for everybody.”
This season, the Rams transitioned from an offense reliant on a single tight end to one that effectively utilizes multiple tight ends. "Everybody has their own flavor," said Higbee, who has recorded 25 receptions and three touchdowns so far this season. His fellow tight ends, including Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and Terrance Ferguson, have also made notable contributions.
Leading the Rams’ offensive lineup, which includes standout players like Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, the team has excelled, averaging a league-high 30.5 points and 394.6 yards per game. “This is the deepest tight end room I’ve ever been a part of,” Higbee noted, underlining the potential for continued success.
Having 31 postseason receptions to his name, including one touchdown in last year’s divisional-round defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, Higbee is eager to make a meaningful contribution against the Panthers. He was unable to participate in their earlier matchup due to an ankle injury.
“At this level,” Higbee asserted, “the more you can get guys that want to play for each other rather than just their families and the name on their back, makes a tighter team and, in my opinion, makes for a better team.”
