The Los Angeles Rams are inactive for Week 8, as they enjoy their bye at 5-2 on the season. But Rams veterans Tyler Higbee and Quentin Lake also received unfortunate news from NFL football operations.
Both players drew fines for penalties committed during the Rams’ Week 7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
In total, the duo will pay $31,880 in fines for one week, the first for the Rams this season.
Rams Super Bowl Champion Fined for ‘Violent Gesture’
GettyCeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first down against the Los Angeles Rams.
Higbee is one of eight Rams on the 2025 roster who were also on the team during the 2021 season that ended in Super Bowl victory.
His fine comes as a result of using a “banned” gesture.
“The NFL fined #Rams TE Tyler Higbee $14,491 for unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture),” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on X on October 25. “The banned ‘nose wipe’ celebration last week in London.”
Higbee, 32, finished with three receptions for 19 yards, but he was not penalized for the gesture during the game
He did the gesture on his second reception of the game. It was also his second-to-last catch.
The NFL banned the gesture in April of this year, after Dallas Cowboys star wideout CeeDee Lamb used it, but connecting it to rapper Young Thug amid his trial for violating the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act.
Higbee is on a two-year, $17 million contract. He originally entered the league as a fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall) of the 2016 draft.
Higbee (13-121-1) is tracking for his least productive season since his rookie campaign.
Rams Team Captain Draws Fine for Banned Tackle
GettyQuentin Lake #37 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens.
Like Higbee, Lake was also fined for committing a banned act, though his was during a play, with a hip drop tackle. That was banned in 2024. Also like Higbee, officials did not flag Lake for the play in a 35-7 Rams win. However, Lake’s fine was substantially higher at $17,389.
Lake’s was officially credited with two tackles on Jaguars receiver Parker Washington, both in the first quarter, one of which he split with linebacker Omar Speights.
His solo stop shows Lake latch onto Washington, using his body weight to bring the WR down.
Lake, 26, is on an expiring four-year, $3.8 million contract and could be in line for a significant payday after – or perhaps even during – this season. A team captain in back-to-back seasons, he is also a versatile piece for defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
“Quentin Lake is a do-it-all chess piece for Sean McVay’s defense,” ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler wrote on October 8.
“The Rams are interested in retaining him if a deal makes sense.”
Lake has logged 45 total tackles, a career-high 9 pass deflections, 1.0 sacks, his first career interception and forced fumble recovery, and 1 fumble recovery this season. At his current pace, Lake will come just shy of matching his career high of 111 combined stops with 109 this season.
The Rams have drawn praise for their ability to retain/retool on offense while building a top defense through the draft.
Lake, the No. 211 overall pick in 2022, could be the first of many to change that for the Rams.
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