Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee suffered a torn ACL in their wild-card loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday night, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The injury was confirmed by an MRI on Tuesday, though the extent of Higbee's recovery time remains uncertain.
During the Sunday game’s fourth quarter, Matthew Stafford threw an incomplete pass intended for Higbee. Safety Kerby Joseph tackled Higbee as the latter attempted to make the catch, hitting Higbee's right knee and causing it to bend. Higbee limped off the field and did not return for the rest of the game.
Higbee's stats for the season included 47 catches, 495 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. The 31-year-old had signed a two-year, $27 million extension with the Rams last fall, securing his place with the team through the 2025 season. With the ACL tear occurring in mid-January, Higbee's readiness for the 2024 regular season is in question.
Lions’ defense
Joseph tweeted out following the game against the Rams, pointing out the dangerous nature of the game. He added that he didn’t intend to seriously harm Higbee with his tackle.
“I’m praying for bro and his family. I don’t have no intention to hurt nobody and/or harm their career,” he wrote on his X account.
All seriousness, this game we play is very dangerous."
Kerby Joseph, Safety of the Detroit Lions
Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone came to Joseph’s defense, attributing the injury to the risky nature of the sport.
"Honestly, it's what this league is now. You have to go low, you can't go high and it's a clinic tackle, in my opinion,” said Anzalone. “I know they exchanged words after, but there's nothing else that we can do defensively now. That's what the league office wants."
Anzalone claims that the hit was legal and instead attributes Higbee’s injury to Stafford’s ball placement. “It’s a dangerous, violent sport. It’s legal to cut block DEs full speed while he’s blinded on run plays. The QB should know not the throw this ball and protect his own player. And like I said, I do not want anyone to get hurt out there.” he said.
Echoing Anzalone, Lions’ defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson also defended Joseph's hit, suggesting that the responsibility lies with the quarterback to avoid placing the player in a vulnerable position.
“If anybody on the Rams feels like it was dirty, well tell his quarterback don’t put the ball in a place where he can get his player hurt,” he said.
Room for growth
Despite the 24-23 playoff loss, Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed pride in the team's performance and highlighted the lessons learned.
“I'm so proud of this football team. And the finality of it is still kind of... it doesn't totally resonate. But man did I learn a lot and really appreciate this group.” the head coach said during the post-game press conference.
McVay then said that he thought the Rams had a chance to face off with the Lions, but that ultimately he needed to give credit to the Lions for their win. “Hats off to the Lions for finding a way to get it done. I got nothing but respect for that group,” McVay said.
Rams rookie nose tackle Kobie Turner shared McVay's message of recognizing the team's potential for growth and building on the foundation laid during the season. Turner said the team would "keep pushing" regardless of the outcome.