According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee sustained a ruptured ACL after taking a low, controversial hit during their Sunday night wild-card loss to the Detroit Lions.
According to the article, an MRI on Tuesday verified the injury. Although it’s unclear how long Higbee would need to heal, he now “faces a challenge” to be prepared for the upcoming season’s premiere.
#Rams TE Tyler Higbee did, in fact, tear his ACL after that brutal low hit by #Lions safety Kerby Joseph, source said after the MRI. He faces a challenge to be ready for the start of next season.
Joseph wrote on social media: “I don’t have no intention to hurt no body and or… pic.twitter.com/jmfBjwGkuZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2024
In the Rams’ 24-23 loss to the Lions at Ford Field, which was Detroit’s first postseason victory in over thirty years, Higbee fell down in the fourth quarter. As Higbee attempted to make a grab crossing the center of the field, Lions safety Kerby Joseph immediately collided with his right leg with his head.
Higbee collapsed on the ground, his right leg twisting awkwardly back from the hit. After a while, he hobbled off the field and vanished.
Rams believe TE Tyler Higbee tore his ACL after absorbing a low hit from Detroit safety Kerby Joseph, per sources. There will be additional testing to confirm the initial diagnosis. pic.twitter.com/ZnojOTMwci
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2024
Joseph received a lot of backlash for his hit, but following the game, he was fast to explain himself.
ALL SERIOUSNESS…. THIS GAME WE PLAY IS VERY DANGEROUS…. I’m praying for bro and his family I don’t have no intention to hurt no body and or harm their career I been a mf dog since I came out my mama womb and nun of y’all on here gone take that away from me 👌👌💯💯💯 #GODBLESS
— ZUPER BOWL KERB💤😎 (@JKERB25) January 15, 2024
After the victory, Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone continued to defend Joseph. From his perspective, Joseph’s action was the most that was legally possible under the circumstances.
In the wild-card round, Higbee was targeted just once and failed to produce a catch. This season, he has 47 receptions for 495 yards and two touchdowns, good for ninth place in the league. The 31-year-old will remain with the Rams through the 2025 season after agreeing to a two-year, $27 million contract deal with the team last November.
