Go beyond the scoreboard
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The Rams will be adding reinforcement as they go into the final three games of the season.
Veteran tight end Tyler Higbee, who has been sidelined all season while recovering from shoulder and knee injuries, is expected to return for their Nov. 22 against the New York Jets, coach Sean McVay said Friday.
Higbee, a ninth-year pro, was injured last January during the Rams’ NFC wild-card defeat by the Detroit Lions. He has been practicing for the last few weeks, and McVay had hinted at his return several times.
On Friday, when asked if Higbee would be active against the Jets, McVay was more definitive.
“None of it has been finalized yet,” McVay said, “but with the progress he’s made over the past couple weeks, the way that he’s looked at practice, do expect him to be ready to go against the Jets.”
With outside linebacker Nick Hampton suffering a season-ending pectoral injury against the 49ers, the Rams will have a roster spot. It remains to be seen how Higbee’s return will impact a tight end group that includes Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and Hunter Long.
Higbee, 31, has 353 receptions, 22 for touchdowns in his career.
What else we learned from a victory that improved the Rams’ record to 8-6:
2
Cooper Kupp has no catches but still contributes
(Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
For only the second time in his eight-year career, receiver Cooper Kupp finished a game without a reception.
Kupp was targeted four times against the 49ers but did not make a catch. The only other time that happened in a game in which Kupp was not injured was in a 17-12 defeat by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019.
Receivers Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell had seven catches and one catch, respectively. Tight ends Colby Parkinson and Hunter Long and running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum each had two catches.
McVay said Kupp contributed in other ways against the 49ers, including blocking.
“Every game is so unique in this league and you just never know,” McVay said, “and that’s why you’ve just got to be able to figure out how to stay in the moment, figure out what is required for our football team, and Cooper made an impact in that way. ... I was proud of our team, and I was also proud of the contribution Cooper made without the ball.”
3
Running back Kyren Williams can carry the load
(Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)
Running back Kyren Williams rushed for 108 yards in 29 carries, matching the career high for carries he set four days earlier in a 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
“For him to have 58 carries over the last four days is really impressive,” McVay said. “We’ll look forward to getting him healthy, rested and recovered.”
Williams said he felt good.
“I feel like that talks to a lot about who we are as an offense, and what Coach McVay believes in and trusts us as a unit to get that done,” Williams said, adding, “To run the ball 29 times, stay consistent while we’re doing it, and calling on it when we needed it, that just talks about the work we’ve been putting in the last three or four weeks.”
Rams have developed ability to close games by rebounding from a 1-4 start and winning seven of nine, the last one completing a sweep of the NFC West-rival 49ers.
Williams, a third-year pro, said he has adopted a regimen to help him weather the season. It includes two massages and three weightlifting sessions each week along with supplemental post-practice exercises for his ankles and feet.
“I can feel the difference between how my body responds week in and week out,” he said.
Williams has rushed for more than 100 yards in a game three times this season. He has rushed for 1,121 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has two touchdown receptions.
4
Corner Darious Williams was ready to make a play
Rams cornerback Darious Williams intercepts a pass intended for 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings (15) in the fourth quarter.
(Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)
Cornerback Darious Williams is in his second stint with the Rams.
After playing for the Rams’ Super Bowl championship team in 2021 he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Rams re-signed him before this season, but he suffered a hamstring injury during training camp that landed him on injured reserve.
Williams returned in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers and Thursday he got his first interception of the season.
The Rams led 9-6 in the fourth quarter when the 49ers drove to their 34-yard line. Quarterback Brock Purdy lofted a pass into the end zone, but Williams made an over-the-shoulder grab for the turnover.
Williams said the Rams had seen the play on film.
“We just didn’t really know when the play would come,” he said. “I was able to be patient. I didn’t think he was going to throw it, but he threw it up there and I was ready to make a play.”
5
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon came through
(Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
With cornerback Cobie Durant sidelined because of a lung bruise, there was speculation defensive coordinator Chris Shula might turn to recently acquired Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
Instead, veteran Ahkello Witherspoon got the start and made the most of it.
Witherspoon, who played his first four seasons for the 49ers, made five tackles and broke up three passes.
“Ahkello was outstanding,” McVay said. “Really proud of him, and that’s a cool deal to be able to come back here and play the way he did.”
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Defensive tackle Kobie Turner led the front
(Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)
Kobie Turner sacked Purdy twice and the second-year pro moved into the team lead with seven sacks.
“Kobie took advantage of his opportunities and made some big plays that we definitely needed,” edge rusher Jared Verse said. “As a defensive front, I thought we did exactly what we needed to.”
Linebacker Christian Rozeboom sacked Purdy on the final play.
Rozeboom had a team-best nine tackles.
7
Kicker Joshua Karty is back on track
The Rams’ Joshua Karty was successful on all four of his field-goal attempts against the 49ers.
(Jed Jacobsohn / Associated Press)
Rookie kicker Joshua Karty has struggled at times but did not miss against the 49ers. Karty, who kicked a game-winning field goal against the 49ers in Week 3, kicked four field goals Thursday night.
Karty has made 21 of 26 field-goal attempts and 29 of 32 extra-point attempts.
“I’ve learned a lot this year and had some ups and downs,” said Karty, a sixth-round draft pick. “There was a stretch in there where it was pretty rough and there was only one way out of it.
“That’s to just keep putting in the work, keep kicking. I’ve learned it’s a long season, 17 weeks. One game doesn’t define you, whether it’s good or whether it’s bad.”
