Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee is confirmed to have torn his ACL in the first-round matchup with the Detroit Lions, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
The injury came on a controversial hit from Detroit Lions defensive back Kerby Joseph. Joseph took to social media to declare his lack of malicious intent.
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
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2024
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) January 15, 2024
Some fans are saying the hit on Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee was dirty
A lot of fans took to social media to express that they felt the hit on Higbee was dirty. They argue that Joseph was trying to take out Higbee’s knee.
There is also arguments that Joseph has displayed similar behavior in the past. Joseph is starting to garner a reputation for being a dirty player among some NFL fans.
Reminder Kerby Joseph also tried to rip Justin Jefferson’s head off in the same game he tried to ruin TJ Hockenson’s career with ACL and MCL.pic.twitter.com/9GowfDSCDJ
— Bull Run (@defiisthelife) January 15, 2024
Kerby Joseph with the hip drop tackle on Puka Nacua and rolls over his ankle. pic.twitter.com/xbKpQoxqwX
— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) January 16, 2024
If Higbee’s MRI confirms what is expected, this will be the 2nd torn ACL to a TE (Hockenson) this season as a result of a hit from Lions S Kerby Joseph. Dirty? https://t.co/AOv9ijNj0P pic.twitter.com/tu6XnD7iLd
— ACL Recovery Club (@ACLrecoveryCLUB) January 15, 2024
Fans and Detroit Lions players defended Kerby Joseph’s hit on Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee
Many fans came to the defense of Joseph after the hit that occured against the Rams. Fellow Detroit Lions defender Alex Anzalone said in an article from Sacbee that the hit is just part of the game.
“My point is that it’s a legal hit,” Anzalone says. “It’s a dangerous, violent sport. It’s legal to cut block DEs full speed while he’s blinded on run plays. The QB should know not the throw this ball and protect his own player. And like I said, I do not want anyone to get hurt out there.”
The main argument that fans make is that Joseph had no other option. The NFL is trying to eliminate blows to the head, and if he tried to tackle Higbee high the size difference may have been too much for Joseph to overcome.
Fans are saying that Joseph’s low tackle attempt was a legal hit, and it was simply a result of Joseph trying to abide by the NFL’s stringent rules that protect defenseless receivers.
If Kerby Joseph tried to “wrap up” pic.twitter.com/o9QqG9BH6J
— Josh 〽️ (@UMFanJosh) January 16, 2024
“Just wrap up! Don’t put your body into it tho and make sure you don’t go high either or you’ll get ejected. Also don’t go low either because we don’t want an injury. You need to hit this TE who is 50lbs heavier than you right in the midsection. Oh and make sure he’s looking at…
— BongoBlue2 (@Blue2Bongo) January 16, 2024
Why are people mad at Kerby Joseph for doing his job
— Deshaun Watson’s burner (@DWatsons_Burner) January 16, 2024
nfl wants him to tackle that way by their rules
— 𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒾𝑒𝓇 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓃𝓉𝓇𝓎 (@motorcitypoison) January 16, 2024
Joseph and the Lions will be taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton was the leading receiver for Tampa Bay in the 32-9 wild card round victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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