WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Rams head coach Sean McVay on Friday said tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) is "a couple weeks away" from returning from his torn ACL and MCL sustained in the wild card playoff game against the Lions earlier this year.
"I mean, he looks great," McVay said. "He's out here doing his thing, he's leading in his own way. He's got such a great way about himself. But I would say couple weeks away."
McVay also said they'll "re-evalaute" safety John Johnson III (shoulder), who has been on Injured Reserve (IR) since Sept. 18 after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 2 against the Cardinals. McVay said "probably the same thing," in terms of Johnson being a couple weeks away from returning like Higbee, before later clarifying that Johnson could be on a week-to-week timeline.
Linebacker Troy Reeder landed on IR on Oct. 24 with a hamstring injury, and McVay also indicated a week-to-week timeline for him. Sunday's game against the Patriots would be the minimum fourth game missed for Reeder, meaning he would be eligible to return as early as next week.
One major variable factoring into the return of Reeder and Johnson: Los Angeles has one IR return designation left to use this season. Teams are allowed to designate up to eight players to return from IR during the regular season. The Rams so far have done so for seven players: Offensive lineman Steve Avila, offensive lineman Jonah Jackson, wide receiver Puka Nacua, offensive lineman Joe Noteboom, cornerback Darious Williams, defensive end Larrell Murchison and offensive lineman K.T. Leveston. Murchison and Leveston began the season designated for return, which still counts toward that allotment of eight.
Those return rules do not apply to Higbee, who has been on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list since Aug. 27.
