Fragility of 5 Rams veterans can open door for backups to earn starting roles

II: TE Tyler Higbee

While veteran tight end Tyler Higbee has been relatively dependable, the team is fully aware of the fact that he is recuperating from a devastating ACL injury suffered in the Wild Card Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs, and that he is a 31-year-old physical tight end who is trying very hard to return and start for the offense in his ninth NFL season.

But the scenario does not guarantee his complete and full recovery. For the Rams front office, the team has to hope for the best, but plan for the worst. It was that realization that compelled the team to invest a starting tight end compensation package to sign former Seattle Seahawks backup TE Colby Parkinson to a three-year contract valued at over $22 million.

It was also these facts that compelled the team to attempt to trade up in the 2024 NFL Draft to gain the optimal position to draft Georgia TE Brock Bowers. Neither the signing of Colby Parkinson nor the relentless efforts to trade up to select Brock Bowers makes sense if the team had complete confidence that veteran TE Tyler Higbee would be back and fully healthy in 2024.

Higbee's situation is perhaps the most complex of any player on this list. Due to an unfortunate injury against the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs, Higbee is likely to spend the entire summer of training camp. In fact, the team anticipates his opening the season with an Injured Reserve designation.

That creates an almost certain window of opportunity for backup(s) to earn a more permanent role at the position. Not simply from the uncertainty of Higbee's eventual return, but from the caliber of player who can achieve after a devastating injury at 31 years old.