Rams tight end Tyler Higbee was taken to a local hospital with a chest injury during Monday's 27-9 wild-card win over the Vikings in Glendale, Arizona, head coach Sean McVay said. He was found dead, but his condition is said to be stable.
“It was something in his chest,” McVay said. “I think he's fine. What does that mean regarding his status going forward? I don't know.”
Higbee was injured in the first half after catching five passes for 58 yards, including two for 27 yards to help the Rams take a 7-0 lead on their first drive.
The Rams initially declared the veteran questionable to return during the second quarter, but later downgraded him to out.
Monday's game was Higbee's fourth game of the 2024 season, and the 2016 fourth-round pick entered the game with eight catches, 66 yards and two touchdowns.
He tore his ACL and MCL last year and missed the first 15 weeks of the season, but returned in Week 16 against the Jets and made a touchdown catch.
Higbee has seemed to be getting back into shape over the past two weeks, catching 12 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Higbee played limited snaps on Monday, but helped Cody Parkinson (33 snaps), Hunter Long (22 snaps) and Davis Allen (19 snaps) get back on track.
It could be difficult for Higbee to adjust as the Rams find themselves in a tough spot ahead of Sunday's divisional round game against the Eagles in Philadelphia.
The Rams lost the FanDuel match against the NFC East champions by 5.5 points.
The Eagles defeated the Rams 37-20 on the road in Week 12, marking a turning point in Los Angeles' season.
The Rams were unbeaten since that game, winning their next five games and winning the NFC West before losing to the Seahawks in Week 18 while playing as a backup.
Due to the Los Angeles fires, Monday's game was moved from Los Angeles to Glendale.
