Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph addressed accusations of being a dirty player on Thursday, particularly in response to criticism from fans and players of the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.
Joseph’s low hits have led to serious injuries for tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Tyler Higbee, resulting in torn knee ligaments and prematurely ending their seasons.
After Matthew Stafford labeled Joseph as dirty due to a hit on Higbee during the Wild Card Round of the playoffs on Sunday, Joseph acknowledged the criticism, stating that he’s accustomed to being perceived as “the villain.”
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He expressed confusion about Stafford’s anger towards him, noting that he celebrated the tackle before realizing Higbee had been injured on the play.
In Joseph’s defense, Lions head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn both supported the safety amid the controversy.
Despite the accusations, Joseph’s track record includes 163 tackles and 8 interceptions over the past two seasons, an impressive feat for a third-round pick.
The NFL has aimed to minimize head injuries, leading to an increase in leg injuries as players are now more inclined to tackle low rather than high. This shift is a consequence of the techniques taught to defenders in tackling.