Tyler Higbee

Higbee was born in Clearwater, Florida.{{Cite web |last=Burger |first=Kyle |date=January 21, 2022 |title=Rams' Tyler Higbee faces his hometown Bucs in divisional round |url=https://www.abcactionnews.com/sports/rams-tyler-higbee-faces-his-hometown-bucs-in-divisional-round |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS) |language=en}} He attended East Lake High School in Tarpon Springs, Florida, where he was a two-sport athlete, in football and baseball.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee, Class of 2011 TE for the East Lake Eagles (Tarpon Springs, FL) |url=https://floridagridironpreps.com/player/2529/Tyler-Higbee |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Florida Gridiron Preps}}{{Cite web |last=Banks |first=Don |date=February 1, 2019 |title=Rams’ Tyler Higbee rises from East Lake High to reach the Super Bowl |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/02/01/rams-tyler-higbee-rises-from-east-lake-high-to-reach-the-super-bowl/ |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}} A standout in football, he was named MVP of his team, playing as a wide receiver for the Eagles.{{cite web |title=East Lake's Higbee is first Eagle to play in a Super Bowl |url=https://www.fox13news.com/sports/east-lakes-higbee-is-first-eagle-to-play-in-a-super-bowl |website=Fox 13 Tampa Bay |publisher=Fox 13 Tampa Bay |access-date=December 5, 2023}}

Considered a two-star recruit by Rivals.com,{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee, 2011 Tight End, W Kentucky |url=https://rivals.com/content/athletes/tyler-higbee-38718?view=pv |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Rvals.com |language=en-US}} Higbee attended Western Kentucky University to play college football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. He caught 15 passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns his junior year. He caught 38 passes for 563 yards and eight touchdowns his senior year.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tyler-higbee-1.html |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} He was considered one of the best tight end prospects in college football.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee Draft Profile |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/tyler-higbee?id=2555364 |access-date=June 19, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 5 3/4

| weight = 249

| bench = 18

| arm span = 33 1/4

| hand span = 10 1/4

| wonderlic = 22{{Cite web |last=McGinn |first=Bob |date=April 21, 2016 |title=Rating the NFL draft prospects: Wide receivers and tight ends |url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/rating-the-nfl-draft-prospects-wide-receivers-and-tight-ends-b99704541z1-376590661.html |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |language=en}}

| note = All values from NFL Combine/Western Kentucky's Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tyler-higbee/32004849-4703-3222-e4e8-bd596550bfdb |title=Tyler Higbee Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=September 10, 2022}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=105797&DraftYear=2016 |title=2016 Draft Scout Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=September 10, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Chisenhall |first=Jeremy |date=April 16, 2016 |title=2016 NFL Draft Profile: Western Kentucky Tight End Tyler Higbee |url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/4/16/11436438/2016-nfl-draft-profile-western-kentucky-tight-end-tyler-higbee |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Cincy Jungle |language=en}}

}}

On December 14, 2015, it was announced that Higbee had accepted his invitation to play in the 2016 Senior Bowl.{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Higbee accepts invite to Senior Bowl |url=http://www.wkusports.com/news/2015/12/14/Higbee_Accepts_Invite_to_Senior_Bowl.aspx |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Athletics}} On January 23, 2016, Higbee's representatives from Select Sports Group announced they had pulled Higbee from the Senior Bowl due to the knee sprain he suffered during the season.{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Chad |date=January 23, 2016 |title=Tyler Higbee officially out of the Senior Bowl |url=http://www.wbko.com/content/sports/Tyler-Higbee-officially-out-of-the-Senior-Bowl-366303971.html |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=WBKO.com |archive-date=January 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108233531/http://www.wbko.com/content/sports/Tyler-Higbee-officially-out-of-the-Senior-Bowl-366303971.html |url-status=dead }} Higbee was one of 15 collegiate tight ends to attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was unable to perform any drills due to his knee injury, but met with teams and had measurements taken.{{Cite web |last=Brady |first=James |date=February 27, 2016 |title=NFL Combine 2016 results: Full times, measurements for tight ends |url=https://www.sbnation.com/platform/amp/nfl/2016/2/27/11126486/2016-nfl-combine-results-tight-end-drills |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=SBNation.com}} On March 29, 2016, Higbee attended Western Kentucky's pro day, along with Brandon Doughty, Prince Charles Iworah, George Fant, and 11 other prospects. Although he was unable to physically perform, Higbee met with scouts and team representatives and scouts, including St. Louis Rams general manager Les Snead.{{Cite web |last=Brandt |first=Gil |date=April 2, 2016 |title=Navy's Keenan Reynolds works out at four positions |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/navy-s-keenan-reynolds-works-out-at-four-positions-0ap3000000650067 |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} During the draft process, he had private meetings with the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints.{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Sean |date=April 21, 2016 |title=Broncos held pre-draft visit with Western Kentucky tight end Tyler Higbee |url=https://www.broncoswire.usatoday.com/2016/04/21/broncos-held-pre-draft-visit-with-western-kentucky-te-tyler-higbee/amp/ |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=Broncos Wire }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Higbee was projected to be a fourth or fifth round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the fourth best tight end prospect in the draft by Sports Illustrated and the fifth best tight end by NFLDraftScout.com.{{Cite web |last=Chris Burke |date=April 16, 2016 |title=2016 NFL Draft Rankings |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/04/12/nfl-draft-2016-position-rankings-players-prospects |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=si.com}}

Higbee was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=May 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was the 27th player selected in the NFL Draft in Western Kentucky's school history and the highest selection since Joseph Jefferson in 2002. He also was the first player selected from Western Kentucky in 2016 and along with Brandon Doughty, and Prince Charles Iworah, made up the largest draft class in the school's history.{{Cite web |title=Western Kentucky Players/Alumni |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/westkentucky/index.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Western Kentucky Drafted Players/Alumni |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/westkentucky/drafted.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On June 9, 2016, the Rams signed him to a four-year, $2.92 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $580,860.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Tyler Higbee |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/tyler-higbee-19064/ |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=spotrac.com}}

Throughout training camp, he competed for the job as starting tight end against Lance Kendricks, Cory Harkey, Justice Cunningham, and Temarrick Hemingway. Head coach Jeff Fisher named Higbee the third tight end on the Rams' depth chart, behind veterans Kendricks and Harkey.{{Cite web |last=McAtee |first=Joe |date=September 6, 2016 |title=2016 LA Rams Week 1 Depth Chart Projection |url=https://www.turfshowtimes.com/platform/amp/2016/9/6/12812998/2016-la-rams-week-1-depth-chart-projection-53-man-roster |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=TurfShowTimes.com}}

Higbee made his first NFL start and NFL debut in the Rams' season-opener at the San Francisco 49ers and caught one pass for two yards during their 28–0 loss. His first NFL reception came on the first pass of the game of a two-yard throw by quarterback Case Keenum, before he was tackled by Tank Carradine and Eric Reid.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers - September 12th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609120sfo.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 9, Higbee caught one pass for a season-high 31 yards during a 13–10 loss to the Carolina Panthers.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Rams - November 6th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201611060ram.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On December 24, 2016, he caught a touchdown as the Rams lost 22–21 to the 49ers. His first NFL touchdown came on a two-yard pass by rookie quarterback Jared Goff in the fourth quarter to put the Rams up 21–7.{{Cite web |title=San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams - December 24th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612240ram.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Higbee completed his rookie season with 11 receptions for 85 receiving yards and a touchdown in 16 games, with seven starts.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HigbTy00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Higbee entered training camp competing for the starting tight end job left vacant by the departure of Lance Kendricks to the Green Bay Packers in free agency. He competed against rookie second round pick Gerald Everett, Cory Harkey, and Temarrick Hemingway. New head coach Sean McVay named him the starting tight end to begin the 2017 season.{{Cite web |last=DaSilva |first=Cameron |date=September 5, 2017 |title=Rams release first depth chart of regular season |url=http://theramswire.usatoday.com/2017/09/05/nfl-los-angeles-rams-depth-chart-regular-season-2017/ |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=Rams Wire}}

In Week 5, Higbee caught a season-high four passes for 98 yards in a 16–10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.{{Cite web |title=Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams - October 8th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710080ram.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During a Week 9 matchup at the New York Giants, Higbee caught an 8-yard touchdown as the Rams won 51–17.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants – November 5th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201711050nyg.htm |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In his first season under McVay, Higbee caught 25 receptions for 298 yards and a touchdown in 16 games and 16 starts.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HigbTy00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Rams finished the 2017 season atop the National Football Conference (NFC) West with an 11–5 record and received a playoff berth. On January 6, 2018, Higbee started his first NFL playoff game and had an 11-yard reception as the Rams lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card Round by a score of 26–13.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams – January 6th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201801060ram.htm |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Higbee again started all 16 games for the Rams and his receptions (24) and receiving yards (292) came close to matching his 2017 totals, while he had a career-high two touchdown receptions.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HigbTy00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He caught touchdown passes from Jared Goff in the Rams' victories over the Arizona Cardinals (34–0) and Seahawks (36–31), and he had a career-high six receptions (for 63 yards) in the Rams' 54–51 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.{{Cite web |title=Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams – September 16th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201809160ram.htm |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams – November 11th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201811110ram.htm |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Rams – November 19th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201811190ram.htm |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

The Rams repeated as NFC West champions and hosted the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Round. Higbee had two receptions for 30 yards in the win, which advanced Los Angeles to the NFC Championship Game.{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams – January 12th, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201901120ram.htm |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Against the Saints, he caught four passes for 25 yards, including a one-yard touchdown from Goff in the third quarter that narrowed the score to 20–17. In overtime, Higbee had two catches for 18 yards on the Rams' game-winning drive, which ended in Greg Zuerlein's 57-yard field goal to send the Rams to Super Bowl LIII.{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship – Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints – January 20th, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201901200nor.htm |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In a defensive struggle against the New England Patriots, Higbee was held without a reception in the Rams' 13–3 loss.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LIII – Los Angeles Rams vs. New England Patriots – February 3rd, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201902030ram.htm |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On September 5, 2019, Higbee signed a four-year, $31 million ($15.5 million guaranteed) contract extension that will keep him with the Rams through the 2023 season.{{Cite web |last=Beacham |first=Greg |date=September 5, 2019 |title=Rams re-sign TE Tyler Higbee for 4 years through 2023 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-sign-te-tyler-higbee-4-years-2023-175633298--nfl.html |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=Yahoo! Sports |archive-date=September 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906044500/https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-sign-te-tyler-higbee-4-years-2023-175633298--nfl.html |url-status=dead }} During Week 13 against the Cardinals, Higbee finished with seven catches for 107 receiving yards and a touchdown as the Rams won 34–7.{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2019 |title=Goff throws for 424 yards, Rams roll past Cardinals 34–7 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128100 |access-date=December 1, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} During Sunday Night Football against the Seahawks in Week 14, Higbee finished with 116 receiving yards as the Rams won 28–12.{{Cite web |title=Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams – December 8th, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201912080ram.htm |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 15 against the Cowboys, Higbee caught 12 passes for 111 yards as the Rams lost 21–44.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2019 |title=Cowboys render coin toss mix-up moot, throttle Rams 44–21 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=401128103 |access-date=December 15, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} During Saturday Night Football against the 49ers in Week 16, Higbee finished with 104 receiving yards as the Rams lost 31–34 and were eliminated from playoff contention.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – December 21st, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201912210sfo.htm |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Overall, Higbee finished the 2019 season with 69 receptions for 734 receiving yards (both career highs) and three receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HigbTy00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In Week 2 of the 2020 season, Higbee recorded five receptions for 54 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in the 37–19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles – September 20th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009200phi.htm |access-date=September 22, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Higbee would finish the season with 44 receptions for 521 yards and a career-high five touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HigbTy00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Playing in all but one game, Higbee totaled 61 receptions for 560 yards and equaled his five touchdown catches from a year earlier.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HigbTy00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During the season, Higbee became the Rams' all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end, surpassing marks set previously by Lance Kendricks and Billy Truax, respectively.{{Cite web |title=Cleveland/LA/St. Louis Rams Career Receiving Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/career-receiving.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In the playoffs, Higbee set new postseason highs for receptions (nine) and yardage (115).{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee Playoffs Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HigbTy00.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} However, in the NFC Championship against the 49ers, Higbee suffered a knee injury in the first quarter after catching two passes for 18 yards and missed the rest of the game. Higbee was later placed on injured reserve on February 12, 2022, the day before Super Bowl LVI.{{Cite web |last=Baca |first=Michael |date=February 11, 2022 |title=Rams place TE Tyler Higbee on injured reserve, activate RB Darrell Henderson off IR ahead of Super Bowl |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-place-te-tyler-higbee-on-injured-reserve-activate-rb-darrell-henderson-off- |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=NFL.com}} Higbee won Super Bowl LVI when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20.{{cite web|title= LA Rams defeat Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl 2022|url=https://nypost.com/2022/02/13/la-rams-defeat-cincinnati-bengals-to-win-super-bowl-2022/|author=Schwartz, Paul|website=nypost.com|date=February 13, 2021}}

Higbee started all 17 games for the Rams, one of only two players (Rob Havenstein) on the offense to do so.{{Cite web |title=2022 Los Angeles Rams Roster & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/2022_roster.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He set a new single season career high with 72 receptions, including 10 in a 24–9 loss at the 49ers in Week 4.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers - October 3rd, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202210030sfo.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Higbee was held without a catch in a 16–13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9, ending a 43-game reception streak.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Higbee Career Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HigbTy00.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In a Week 15 game played on Christmas Day, Higbee had nine receptions for 94 yards and became the franchise's all-time leader in touchdown receptions for a tight end, breaking the mark of 18 previously held by Damone Johnson, with the first of his two touchdown catches in the Rams' 51–14 rout of the Broncos.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Stu |date=December 30, 2022 |title=Tyler Higbee's consistent work ethic rewarded with franchise career records for tight end position |url=https://www.therams.com/news/tyler-higbee-s-consistent-work-ethic-rewarded-franchise-career-records-tight-end |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=TheRams.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams - December 25th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202212250ram.htm |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Higbee also surpassed 3,000 career receiving yards in that victory,{{Cite web |last=Beacham |first=Greg |date=December 29, 2022 |title=Higbee meshing with Mayfield, setting TE records for Rams |url=https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-rams-sports-tyler-higbee-sheep-nfl-football-376799425917094c2763053cd16cefff |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}} and the following week he recorded his 300th career reception in a 31–10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

On September 29, 2023, Higbee signed a two-year contract extension with the Rams.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=September 29, 2023 |title=Rams sign TE Tyler Higbee to two-year, $27M contract extension through 2025 season |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-sign-te-tyler-higbee-two-year-27m-contract-extension-2025-season |access-date=September 29, 2023 |website=NFL.com }} Higbee started and played in 15 of the Rams' 17 regular season games, totaling 47 receptions for 495 yards with two touchdowns. On January 14, 2024, Higbee tore his ACL and MCL while trying to catch a pass from Quarterback Matthew Stafford in the fourth quarter of the Rams' NFL Wildcard playoff game against at the Detroit Lions.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Stu |date=January 17, 2024 |title=McVay: Tyler Higbee tore ACL and MCL against Lions; Kyren Williams underwent surgery to fix broken bone in hand |url=https://www.therams.com/news/injury-update-tyler-higbee-torn-acl-mcl-kyren-williams-surgery-broken-in-hand-lions |access-date=January 26, 2024 |website=TheRams.com}} On February 28, he underwent surgery to repair the ligaments.{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Rams' Tyler Higbee: Undergoes surgery |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/rams-tyler-higbee-undergoes-surgery/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=cbssports.com}}

Higbee began the 2024 season on the reserve/PUP list while recovering from knee surgery. He was activated on December 17.{{cite web | last=DaSilva | first=Cameron | title=Rams activate TE Tyler Higbee, sign former 4th-round OLB to practice squad | website=Rams Wire|publisher=USA Today | date=2024-12-17 | url=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/17/rams-roster-moves-tyler-higbee-reserve-practice-squad/ | access-date=2025-01-02}} On December 22, 2024 in Higbee's first game back from injury, he had one reception that went for 11 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter that helped secure the Rams a 19-9 victory against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-22 |title=Stafford's TD pass to Higbee after Rodgers' turnover leads Rams past Jets 19-9 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43114070 |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}} In the Rams' 27-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, Higbee led the team with five receptions for 58 yards (all in the first quarter), including a 23-yard reception from quarterback Matthew Stafford that set up L.A.'s first score of the game. However, Higbee suffered a chest injury later in the first half which forced him from the game and he did not return.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-13 |title=Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee exits win with chest injury |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43404251/los-angeles-rams-te-tyler-higbee-exits-chest-injury |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Against Philadelphia in the NFC Divisional Playoff, Higbee caught seven passes for 54 yards, including a 4-yard TD in the first quarter of the Rams' 28-22 loss.

On April 20, 2016, Higbee was charged with second-degree assault, alcohol intoxication in a public place and evading police, following an incident on April 10, which he assaulted a man outside of Tidball's night club in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was identified and arrested after fleeing the scene. According to the report, Higbee stated he encountered Nawaf Alsaleh multiple times. The first encounter happened outside of Dublin's Pub, where Higbee stated Alsaleh kept rubbing his head on his and his girlfriend's face multiple times and ignored persisted warnings to stop. Higbee also stated Alsaleh was calling his friends telling them to come to their location to fight Higbee." He was asked by an officer how he understood what Alsaleh said since he spoke a language he did not understand, and Higbee responded that he "just knew." Once at the jail, Higbee stated to the arresting officer "that Alsaleh never tried to fight him or come after him as if he was going to harm him." Higbee just said that, "Alsaleh got into his and (his girlfriend's) personal space so he hit Alsaleh," according to the report. Multiple witnesses said Alsaleh had his hands down and two white males were seen arguing with him and yelling ethnic slurs before hitting him once. Following the assault, Higbee was quoted as saying "ISIS these nuts,” and “fuck you, go back to your country.” The victim, Nawaf Alsaleh, was found unconscious and unresponsive in the parking lot of the bar and was hospitalized with a brain hemorrhage and concussion.{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Chad |date=April 10, 2016 |title=Former WKU tight end Tyler Higbee arrested Sunday in Bowling Green |url=https://www.wbko.com/content/news/Former-WKU-tight-end-Tyler-Higbee-arrested-Sunday-in-Bowling-Green-375182801.html |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=WBKO.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Stites |first=Adam |date=April 12, 2016 |title=Tight end prospect Tyler Higbee arrested for assault 18 days before the NFL Draft |url=https://www.sbnation.com/platform/amp/nfl-mock-draft/2016/4/10/11402504/tyler-higbee-western-kentucky-nfl-draft-2016-tight-end |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=SBNation.com}}{{Cite web |last=Putnam |first=Bob |date=April 11, 2016 |title=East Lake alum Tyler Higbee charged with assault after bar fight |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/east-lake-alum-tyler-higbee-charged-with-assault-after-bar-fight/2272773/ |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}

On July 24, 2017, Higbee pleaded guilty to assault under extreme emotional disturbance in Warren Circuit Court. Judge Steve Wilson accepted a plea agreement where Higbee must complete a pre-trial diversion program, serve 250 hours of community service, and pay restitution to the victim. Alsaleh returned to Saudi Arabia, but was able to meet with Higbee in person, where Higbee apologized and shook his hand.{{Cite web |last=Highland |first=Deborah |date=July 14, 2017 |title=NFLer Tyler Higbee pleads guilty to felony assault, avoids jail time |url=http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/nfler-tyler-higbee-pleads-guilty-to-felony-assault-avoids-jail/article_90315511-3cac-571a-a6e3-c45f1f2ce81d.html |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=BG Daily News}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{footballstats|yahoo=29344|pfr=H/HigbTy00|espn=2573401|nfl=tyler-higbee}}

• [http://www.therams.com/team/roster/Tyler-Higbee/527763d4-3649-45f5-92de-4f61ed2497cd/ Los Angeles Rams bio]
• [http://www.wkusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tyler_higbee_845161.html Western Kentucky Hilltoppers bio]

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Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football tight ends

Category:American football wide receivers

Category:Los Angeles Rams players

Category:Players of American football from Clearwater, Florida

Category:Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football players