Reaction from Los Angeles Rams sideline tells you how brutal hit on Tyler Higbee was with ACL fears
The Los Angeles Rams' sideline was stunned by a brutal hit on tight end Tyler Higbee that could have resulted in an ACL tear.
Detroit defensive back Kerby Joseph dove toward Higbee's right knee during the fourth quarter of the Lions' 24-23 home win on Monday in an NFC Wild Card playoff game.
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Higbee's knee buckled and the Ram immediately went down, leaving Los Angeles' sideline in shock.
While the Rams couldn't believe the hit, fans questioned whether it was legal.
"How come if you breathe on a QB it's a 15-yard penalty, but if you launch your helmet into the knees of a receiver that's A-OK?" one fan tweeted.
"This isn’t a tackle, it’s intent to injure. Bring back fundamental football," another fan posted.
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"Surely the person who makes that hit gets suspended right?" a third fan wrote.
As Joseph attempted to explain the hit on the field, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford engaged in a pointed discussion with the Detroit defender.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff was later seen consoling Higbee after Detroit's win.
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"We always talk about receivers, going low on receivers over the middle," a TV announcer said. "It's where the rules have been adjusted, too, and it's awful."
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Another announcer captured the Rams' feelings: "Ugh."
ESPN reported that Los Angeles believes that Higbee tore his ACL on the hit.
Additional testing to confirm the ACL tear is pending.
Higbee, 31, is a Super Bowl champion and former fourth-round pick.
He has 353 catches for 3,602 yards and 22 TDs during his eight seasons with the Rams.
Los Angeles' season ended with the loss to the Lions.
Detroit fans cheered a Lions team that won its first playoff game in 32 years.
The Lions advanced to the Divisional Round for another home postseason contest.
Goff was celebrated in the locker room by having his name chanted.
Meanwhile, Higbee could be looking at a lengthy rehab in the latter half of his career.
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