Tyler Higbee is evidence of the one adversary that could slow Rams' roll

The Los Angeles Rams roster currently includes eight players at or over age 30, including six starters on offense and defense: quarterback Matthew Stafford, 38; receiver Davante Adams and tight end Tyler Higbee, 33; center Coleman Shelton, nose tackle Poona Ford, and (for the sake of thoroughness) edge rusher Myles Garrett, all 30.

It's not fun to talk about, so let's get this over with: injuries happen, and they tend to happen more often and take longer to heal as veteran players grow older and suffer the toll of repeated incidents. The likelihood of a complete recovery declines.

Higbee would know. In the 2023 playoffs, Lions safety Kerby Joseph took out his ACL, causing Higbee to miss most of the next season. The 10-year veteran sat out seven games last season with an ankle issue. Back in April, Higbee shared his difficulties as an older player returning from an injury-marred season.

"It's incrementally slowly getting better," Higbee told Rams beat writer Adam Grosbard. "Even getting back into training in the offseason, I'm like, this thing's still lingering, you know what I mean? But it has gotten better."

Getting older is tough. Injuries are more likely and healing is slower. To that point, the team is taking great lengths to keep Stafford healthy this year, after he missed all of 2025 training camp with a bad back. It's not just the reigning MVP the Rams are worried about, though. They have multiple veterans, including Higbee, who require special plans to sustain their health throughout the season.

Rams are rolling the dice on keeping veterans healthy

In the course of going all-in on 2026, the Rams have not only committed significant resources to the roster, in the form of contracts granted and draft assets traded, they have also left themselves dependent on key veterans remaining healthy. We'll see what Father Time has to say about that.

Injuries happen. Following a season-ending injury last November, long-time right tackle Rob Havenstein opted for retirement. He recognized that the constant beating in the trenches no longer allowed him to remain healthy over a 17-game schedule.

Adams missed three games late last year with hamstring problems. Puka Nacua was banged up off and on but only missed one. Safety Quentin Lake missed seven, like Higbee. By the end of the year, the secondary was in shambles.

All in all, L.A. made out okay. It's the injuries that end a player's season that can devastate the team. It's hardly a stretch to highlight turnovers and health as the most crucial factors in realizing success. Right now, the Rams are a bit top-heavy with elite talent, leaving them vulnerable.

Not to rain on the parade - and the sun is definitely shining Blue and Yellow rays on the Rams' season - but let's face it. One devastating play could derail their postseason hopes.

All-in is exciting. It's motivating. The caveat is to gird oneself against the significant disappointment should the unthinkable happen. More than two years removed from the event, Higbee has openly admitted lingering effects from his ACL injury. That's not altogether surprising, but it's still a bit jarring.

Enough doom and gloom, though. Let's go and enjoy the season, hoping Higbee and his teammates makes as few trips as possible to the blue tent on the sidelines.

As always, thanks for reading.

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