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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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”
