The Detroit Lions were able to defeat the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round of the playoff to advance to the Divisional round. However, one Lions player has seemingly developed a reputation for being a “dirty player” based on a hit from the game.
Rams tight end Tyler Higbee suffered a torn ACL and MCL at the hands of Lions safety Kerby Joseph, who hit him low by the knees in last weekend’s matchup.
Tyler Higbee oh no pic.twitter.com/RxDfJZ1qMB
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) January 15, 2024
By the letter of the law in the NFL, the hit was a legal one from Joseph. However, that doesn’t mean that Rams players didn’t take exception to the play.
A video has gone viral of the aftermath of the play, which saw Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford offering some harsh words to Joseph about the reputation he has developed.
#Rams QB Matthew Stafford to #Lions S Kerby Joseph after his hit on Tyler Higbee: "Hey!! That's a good hit, but you're dirty as f*** and you know it. It's been on tape. I seen it."
Higbee tore his ACL and MCL on the play.pic.twitter.com/jB3lAX48XR
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 18, 2024
“Hey!! That’s a good hit,” said Stafford. “That’s a good hit. But you’re dirty as f*** and you know it. It’s been on tape. I’ve seen it. It’s been on tape.”
Matthew Stafford had the receipts for Kerby Joseph after his hit on Tyler Higbee pic.twitter.com/9GZqagxuM4
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 18, 2024
As Stafford was alluding to, this was not the first instance of Joseph going at the knees of a player this year. He also injured Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson in a very similar manner last month, causing a torn ACL and MCL for him as well.
T.J. Hockenson #Skol
Right knee injury
Appears to be a knee sprain and I believe he may have gotten lucky since his foot wasn’t planted.
Possible MCL sprain & hyperextension.
Bruised quad too
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) December 24, 2023
Joseph is obviously receiving some serious flack for these hits, which Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed in a press conference.
“That’s how we play football around here,” said Campbell. “Just keep your head up, see what you hit. That’ll always be what I tell He’s going for the thigh board and staying away from the head. That’s how we play defense here. It’s not dirty. We hit.”
#Lions HC Dan Campbell on Kerby Joseph being labeled dirty: “That’s how we play football here. Just keep your head up, see what you hit. That’ll always be what I tell Kerby. … He’s going for the thigh board and staying away from the head. That’s how we play defense here. It’s… https://t.co/N4NCrhXyh4 pic.twitter.com/e92Lm63vpf
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 18, 2024
Again, both notable hits from Joseph are legal. That being said, most receivers would likely tell you that getting hit like that in the knees is likely the most damaging shot they can take.
Unfortunately for both Higbee and Hockenson, they will not have to undergo a grueling rehab process due to the way the Lions “play defense”.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.