Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is not a fan of Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph, especially not after what unfolded in their NFC Wild Card Round matchup on Sunday.
After Joseph hit Tyler Higbee low during the fourth quarter of Detroit’s 24-23 win, leaving the Rams tight end injured, Stafford went up to the Lions safety and told him he’s “dirty as f–k.”
“Hey, that’s a good hit. That’s a good hit. You dirty as f–k though and you know it,” Stafford said. “You dirty as f–k. It’s been on tape. I’ve seen it.”
During the fourth quarter of Sunday’s matchup, Higbee was trying to make a catch across the middle of the field when Joseph hit his right leg with his helmet. Higbee’s knee bent awkwardly and he limped off the field before being ruled out.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed Tuesday that Higbee suffered a torn ACL and “faces a challenge to be ready for the start of next season.”
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
Rams believe TE Tyler Higbee tore his ACL after absorbing a low hit from Detroit safety Kerby Joseph, per sources. There will be additional testing to confirm the initial diagnosis. pic.twitter.com/ZnojOTMwci
It’s possible Stafford was referencing a previous hit Joseph laid on Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson earlier in the season.
During the third quarter of a Dec. 24 matchup between the Lions and Vikings, Joseph hit Hockenson low with his helmet—the tackle is eerily similar to the one he laid on Higbee—and the Minnesota tight end limped off the field before being ruled out for the season with a torn ACL and MCL.
Amid backlash from fans for his latest hit that injured Higbee, Joseph posted on social media that he had no intention of hurting the Rams tight end and that he’s praying for his recovery:
ZUPER BOWL KERB💤😎 @JKERB25
ALL SERIOUSNESS…. THIS GAME WE PLAY IS VERY DANGEROUS…. I’m praying for bro and his family I don’t have no intention to hurt no body and or harm their career I been a mf dog since I came out my mama womb and nun of y’all on here gone take that away from me 👌👌💯💯💯 #GODBLESS
ZUPER BOWL KERB💤😎 @JKERB25
And all y’all talking crazy on here… GOD SEES AND HEARS ALL ! I WOULDNT WISH THAT ON MY WORSE ENEMY 👌👌💯💯
Lions head coach Dan Campbell also came to Joseph’s defense, saying the play was not a dirty one:
Ari Meirov @MySportsUpdate
#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
While Higbee faces a lengthy recovery, Joseph and the Lions are now preparing for a divisional round matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who upset the Philadelphia Eagles 32-9 in the wild card round on Monday.
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