LA Rams TE Tyler Higbee hopes for SB LVI play are over

There is no doubt that if LA Rams tight end Tyler Higbee could play in SB LVI, he would. The heart may be willing, but it appears that the body is not up to the challenge. Signs developed throughout the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. The Rams’ Sports Medicine department was working frantically with a number of players to improve their chances of playing.

That seemed to help the status of RB Darrell Henderson Jr. It most certainly contributed to the return of nose tackle Sebastian Joseph Day. But Higbee’s injury did not dissipate, and as recently as the Thursday prior to Super Bowl Sunday, he was unable to show signs of progress.

In the face of an injured Higbee, and the timely return of two Rams starters, the team decided to end the debate. And so, the LA Rams designated TE Tyler Higbee and backup OT Joseph Noteboom to Injured Reserve, making room to restore both Henderson and SJD to the active roster.

That ends Higbee’s hopes to play in Super Bowl LVI.  While he did play 35 offensive snaps in Super Bowl LIII, he was not targeted once. That appeared to be an area the Rams offense could exploit, as the Bengals defense has been exploited by opposing tight ends all season long. That role will likely now fall to TE Kendall Blanton, a backup who has shown remarkable poise in his playoff games so far.

Higbee’s absence is disappointing. The Rams did manage to play, and win, in Weeks 14 and 15 without Higbee. Now, the Rams will face doing so one more time. Hopefully, Kendall Blanton has a good breakfast and can show up huge in this one.