Rubber plant

I have a rubber plant that is about 6ft tall. The bottom leaves are not very healthy, in fact they are turning brown and yellow. The top 12inches are very healthy and there are also some side shoots that are also very healthy. My question is, can I cut off the top 12inches and just re-pot and treat as a cutting. Also can I do the same with the side shoots.

 

I've never tried ordinary cuttings from rubber plants, but I have done air layers and been sucsessfull. I think ordinary cuttings may well work as they do with other Ficus, probably with bottom heat.
pete