Rams Get Critical Injury Update on 3 Key Starters

Before his injury, Higbee had quietly become the backbone of Sean McVay’s offensive shift into heavier formations. The Rams have leaned heavily into 13 personnel—three-tight-end groupings that now account for roughly 20 percent of their plays. Higbee’s workload reflects that change: 125 run-blocking snaps and 11 pass-blocking reps, signaling a tight end functioning as both protector and structural anchor.

His alignment flexibility—inline, slot, even split wide—gave McVay a formation-diverse toolkit that forced defenses to declare their intentions early. Without him, the Rams lose a stabilizing presence in both their run game and play-action sequencing.

The four rostered tight ends had been used in a consistent rotation. Higbee led the bunch playing 317 snaps, then Davis Allen with 293, followed by Colby Parkinson with 248 and the rookie Terrance Ferguson with 120, with 88 percent of those snaps coming in the last five weeks.

If the team wants to continue in three tight end sets, Ferguson will be the player who needs to bear the biggest burden.

Havenstein’s Absence and McClendon’s Emergence

Havenstein’s ankle injury removes one of the most reliable components of the offensive line. Through seven games, he logged 461 snaps, including 243 pass-blocking reps with just one sack allowed. His 7.0% pressure rate sits in the league’s respectable middle tier.

The silver lining: Warren McClendon has been increasingly tested, seeing his snap counts spike in Weeks 5–7. Across 224 total snaps, he has not allowed a sack and carries a notably low 2.7% pressure rate. While Havenstein remains the unquestioned starter, McClendon’s steadiness offers the Rams rare midseason continuity.

Lake’s Value and the Defense’s Adjustment

The most significant blow comes on defense. After successful elbow surgery, Ian Rapoport noted Lake still has “a strong chance” to return late in the season. McVay made the stakes clear: “You don’t replace a Quentin Lake,” he said. “He’s so valuable… with the way that he elevates and leads.”

Lake’s production supports that sentiment—61 tackles, 10 passes defensed, and three takeaways—but his versatility is the true loss. As the primary slot defender, he enabled Los Angeles to morph coverages without substituting.

Kamren Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Josh Wallace, Jaylen McCollough, and Roger McCreary will now shoulder a committee approach until Lake’s anticipated return.