Rams TE could have the Eagles number in Week 5

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rams tight end could have the Eagles' number in Week 5

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 10/6/23

Former All-Pro receiver Cooper Kupp should be back for L.A. on Sunday. Rams rookie Puka Nacua is the NFL’s third-leading receiver, but could another pass-catcher be Philadelphia’s Kryptonite in Week 5?

Tight end Tyler Higbee has the fifth-most yards of any tight end this year. He doesn’t have a touchdown yet, but if past history is any indication, the eight-year veteran could be in for a big day against the Eagles.

The Rams and Eagles haven’t played since 2020 when L.A. beat Philadelphia 37-19. Kupp led the team with five catches for 81 yards but Higbee had three touchdowns on his five catches making him the only Ram with a score through the air.

Ahead of this Sunday’s Eagles vs Rams matchup, let’s look back at the last time these two teams faced off!
Tyler Higbee had THREE TOUCHDOWNS!!!#RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/DfimNJct8t
— Rams LAFB (@Rams_LAFB) October 5, 2023

Could more scores be in store for Higbee this week? Philadelphia’s defense struggled against the Commanders in Week 4, allowing quarterback Sam Howell to engineer a pair of scoring drives to tie the game twice in the closing minutes of the game.

The Eagles were without Nakobe Dean, their starting middle linebacker that day, and were forced to move James Bradberry to slot corner after losing Avonte Maddox for the year with a torn pectoral muscle.

The team signed veteran cornerback Bradley Roby to the practice squad on Tuesday and there’s an outside chance he plays against the Rams, but the team shouldn’t expect much from him with less than a week of practice.

Dean remains on the IR with a foot injury and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox will miss his first game since 2021 with an injured back. That could give Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford more time to throw the ball and more open field for Higbee.

Obviously, Philadelphia must pay close attention to players like Kupp and Nacua, but if defensive coordinator Sean Desai isn’t careful, Higbee could be a target monster and hang a big number on the Eagles as he did in 2020.

More must-reads: