Is Tyler Higbee A Starter For The Rams When He Returns? Week 9 Fantasy Football Update

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) tore his ACL and MCL in the playoffs last season and has been recovering since. It was about the latest the injury could have possibly occurred, considering the Rams didn't win the game. Not great luck at all.

He's now 31 years old, and it's unclear when exactly he'll return to the lineup. It's also not clear exactly what role he'll have upon his eventual return. He was the clear starter in past years, but age and injuries are two of the biggest things that shake up depth charts in the league today.

So will Higbee be the TE1 for Los Angeles when he comes back?

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Will Tyler Higbee Start For The Rams When He Returns?

Even before his injury, Higbee wasn't the player he once was. He finished as the TE6 overall in full-PPR scoring in 2022, but mustered just a TE24 finish in 2023. Being on the wrong side of 30 could have something to do with this, as the veteran isn't getting any younger.

#Rams QB Matthew Stafford to #Lions S Kerby Joseph after his hit on Tyler Higbee: "Hey!! That's a good hit, but you're dirty as f*** and you know it. It's been on tape. I seen it."

Higbee tore his ACL and MCL on the play.pic.twitter.com/jB3lAX48XR

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 18, 2024

The fact that it was a compound knee injury lends more credence to the idea that he won't be the starter when he returns. Fellow TE Colby Parkinson has done a fine job filling in for him during his absence. It will depend on how well he recovers and how much he has left in the tank.

It wouldn't be a major surprise to see things go either way. It's tough to evaluate tight ends based purely on fantasy points, as blocking is an important part of their job.

Tyler Higbee Fantasy Football Outlook

It's unlikely that he will be fantasy relevant this season. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere to find production at the tight end position, and there have been plenty of waiver or free agent options that would be better full-season starters than Higbee. Even streaming tight ends could end up better than starting the ninth-year pro.

tyler higbee, YOU are a fantasy Christmas miracle pic.twitter.com/EeKSto40X1

— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) December 25, 2022

The days of him being a great fantasy option are only a few years gone, but they're unlikely to come back.

More Fantasy Football Analysis