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LA Rams HC Sean McVay
The Los Angeles Rams will have their most crucial game just a few short days after their win over the Detroit Lions in Week 15.
LA will play divisional rival the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. Both teams have a record of 11-3, with the winner gaining the top seed in the conference and inching closer to a first-round bye.
The Rams have two offensive starters who are now eligible to return to the 53-man roster after their four weeks on the injured reserve list, which could provide the boost the Rams need in the key game.
Rams Will Be Without Two Key Starters
GettyThe Los Angeles Rams will be without what can be considered the franchise’s greatest tight end of all time
The Los Angeles Rams will need to be 100% for an NFC West showdown. LA already won the first meeting back in Week 10, 21-19. If they were to beat Seattle on TNF, it would give LA the season series over them and some extra breathing room in case they were to lose another game in the season.
Tight end Tyler Higbee and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein are both eligible to return from injured reserve after recovering from their respective injuries.
With a crucial game against the Seahawks coming up, it would benefit the Rams to have the two players who understand Sean McVay’s offense. But due to a short week, Los Angeles will be without the pair on Thursday Night Football.
“Just because you don’t really get a chance for any of the prep and the things that I think are in alignment with putting guys in a position to have successful outcomes,” McVay responded when asked if the players would come off IR.
“We’ll see where they’re at once we get past [this short week].”
The head coach also mentioned that both players have had a good rehab process and that they want to return as quickly as possible.
To make matters slightly worse for the Rams, they could also be without $44 million key player, Davante Adams. Who is currently dealing with a hamstring injury and may be out on Thursday, again, due to the short week.
Who Will Step In?
GettyColby Parkinson #86 of the Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are 3-1 in the four games Tyler Higbee and Rob Havenstein were placed on injured reserve, with the only loss coming from 3 points, so it is fair to say that they can hold their own without the two key starters.
One of the major contributors who replaced Higbee is $22.5 million Colby Parkinson, who has recorded 175 passing yards and 4 touchdown passes as the first tight end on the 53-man roster. He was also able to record his most receiving yards in a game in Week 15.
“[He’s] embracing that we’ve asked of him to do and do it at the highest clip that he can,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “He is a Ram through and through. Couldn’t be happier for his individual success, which is leading to a lot of the stuff that we have been able to do offensively.”
Warren McClendon Jr has been the main guy at the right tackle spot since Rob Havenstein went down. In that time, the third-year player has been playing like one of the best at his position, according to Next Gen Stats.
When Higbee and Haventstein are some of the oldest players at their respective positions, it is possible the Rams have found their replacements.
Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia
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