Timeline for TE Tyler Higbee's recovery remains a huge question mark for Rams

The LA Rams have a problem. You see, the team must make plans and take action now to have the team staffed, stocked, and ready for the new 2024 NFL season. But there is a speed bump to that process. Starting tight end Tyler Higbee suffered a horrible knee injury in the Wild Card Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs at the hands of Detroit Lions defensive back Kerby Joseph. The injury was diagnosed as an ACL injury, one that required surgery to repair the damage.

The surgery went well, without a hitch. But the recovery timeline for Higbee's availability is a huge question mark for the team right now.

Complicating matters is the team's tight end situation right now. 2023 rookie tight end Davis Allen flashed some upside, but he was limited in his role for the last season. Veteran TE Brycen Hopkins has never been a factor, and is expected to enter the 2024 NFL Free Agency market uncontested by the front office. Another veteran TE Hunter Long was unable to remain healthy last season, and is projected to be another 'will he or won't he?' contributor for 2024.

That is simply not a situation that oozes success as an NFL team makes final plans for the offseason.

The LA Rams are not new to this foggy realm of uncertainty, and likely have a long list of tight ends, both free agents and rookie prospects, who could be added to the roster to buoy the position's production and smooth over the unexpected shortfall of ready-to-go players for the team.

While they are not getting much press coverage behind TE Brock Bowers, the 2024 NFL Draft has some talented young NFL prospects in Group II who will put their athleticism to the test on Friday, March 1, 2024. We have already queued up some prospects worth tracking throughout the athletic events, and will add to that list before their scheduled competition.

The team must hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, regarding Tyler Higbee's recovery timeline. That means the tight-end position is likely on the 2024 off-season shopping list. That may be something worth remembering during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

We may not be warm and fuzzy over it. But the front office has to ensure that this team is not only ready to compete, but to win in postseason games as well. That is a pretty tall order.

Thanks again for reading.