Matthew Stafford Voices Concerns Over Kerby Joseph’s Controversial Hit on Tyler Higbee
In a post-game exchange, quarterback Matthew Stafford did not mince words as he confronted Kerby Joseph for what he deemed a “dirty as f–k” hit on Rams’ tight end Tyler Higbee. The incident occurred during the fourth quarter of the Rams’ playoff loss to the Lions, leaving Higbee with a torn ACL and MCL.
The contentious play involved Joseph diving into Higbee’s legs, causing the tight end’s right knee to bend awkwardly as he attempted to catch a pass from Stafford. A mic’d up video captured Stafford expressing his frustration with Joseph, accusing him of a dirty hit, and referencing previous incidents on tape.
Stafford may be alluding to a similar hit on Vikings’ tight end T.J. Hockenson on Christmas Eve, which resulted in Hockenson tearing his ACL. Despite the seemingly dangerous nature of the hit, Joseph was not penalized during the wild card round. It was clarified that contact was made by Joseph’s shoulders and back, not his head, although Stafford vehemently disagreed.
Matthew Stafford blasts Kerby Joseph as ‘dirty as f–k’ after controversial hit on Tyler Higbee https://t.co/JDU0ybAxSZ pic.twitter.com/N54Ekq2Bd2
— New York Post (@nypost) January 18, 2024
In response to the criticism, Joseph defended himself on social media, acknowledging the inherent danger of the sport but denying any ill intent. The Lions, who celebrated their first playoff win in 32 years, rallied behind Joseph, with coach Dan Campbell dismissing accusations of dirty play.
Fellow safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson redirected blame to Stafford, suggesting that the quarterback bears responsibility for placing the ball in a vulnerable position. Gardner-Johnson emphasized that Joseph has been a consistent player and cautioned against attributing malicious intent to the hit.
During a press conference, Coach Campbell reiterated the Lions’ commitment to clean and strategic gameplay, emphasizing the importance of keeping one’s head up and targeting areas that avoid helmet-to-helmet contact. The Lions maintain that their defensive approach is not dirty but rather focuses on playing smart and minimizing the risk of injuries.
