The injuries are starting to pile up on the Los Angeles Rams on both sides of the ball, placing three players on injured reserve.
The Rams placed offensive lineman Rob Havenstein and tight end Tyler Higbee, the two longest tenured players on the team. On defense, LA placed captain Quentin Lake on IR due to an elbow injury, which required him to undergo surgery.
All three players are the first man up at their respective positions, with the other players on the roster needing to step up in their absence.
Matthew Stafford On Losing Key Pieces On Offense
GettyRob Havenstein suffered an ankle and knee injury in Week 11
Matthew Stafford will be without two of the longest players he has connected with since being traded from the Detroit Lions.
Rob Havenstein has been his primary right tackle and Tyler Higbee has been the main tight end since the 2021 season.
Stafford spoke to the media and was asked about the injuries to the offense, with the quarterback giving a straightforward response on the team.
“It’s unfortunate for those guys,” the QB said. “They’re such great players, good guys in our locker room; leaders. That’s tough, but it’s next man up. It’s the NFL. That’s what we have to do. We understand that’s part of the game. It’s part of the game that we all dislike. But we’re going to have to move forward with the guys we do have available.”
“Both those guys are big-time leaders and catalysts on our team and offense… Hopefully, those guys can heal up and be ready to go at some point.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Havenstein has allowed only one sack through 7 games this season. Higbee has the most receiving yards for a Rams tight end this season, with 192 yards, which is also the third-most overall receiving yards on the team.
Stafford will have his two primary weapons on offense, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and will likely be feeding them more over the next four weeks.
Stafford On Opportunities To Second Round Rookie
GettyThe Rams selected an offensive player with their first selection of the 2025 NFL Draft
The Rams have three more options at the tight end position with Tyler Higbee going down, with the most notable player who could step up being the 46th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Terrance Ferguson was the fourth option at tight end on the 53-man roster and will receive a small bump with Higbee on IR. The tight end hasn’t had much playing time this season, but will likely see a notable increase in snaps the next four weeks.
“[Terrance] has been rotating in and out of the game at the same regularity. They’re trying to keep those guys fresh as best as they can,” Stafford said. “We have four of them, now three, that [I] still feel really comfortable with all those guys being in the game.”
“I think it’ll be a good opportunity for all of them.”
Davis Allen has the third most receiving touchdowns of all four tight ends for the Rams this season, with three. Colby Parkinson and Higbee have two TDs, with Ferguson just having one.
Stafford isn’t afraid to throw to any of his targets, but will now need to rely more on his least targeted teammates.
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