Matthew Stafford of the Rams criticizes a Lions player for the strike that tore an ACL: “As filthy as f——“
Los Angeles Rams caller Matthew Stafford was dissatisfied with Detroit Lions back Kerby Joseph’s early termination of Rams tight end Tyler Higbee’s performance in the wild-card game after a low hit that resulted in a torn ACL and MCL.
Many people considered the strike “dirty” because Joseph dashed and dove at Higbee’s knee while he attempted to catch a ball thrown by Stafford.
Replays revealed that when Joseph made contact with Higbee’s knee, it buckled, and the veteran defensive end immediately retrieved it from the turf, and medical personnel rushed to assist him.
Stafford, who was under the microphone during the game because of his extensive tenure in Detroit before joining the Rams, approached Joseph to express his opinion on the hit.
“Hey, that’s quite a hit.” You are fully aware, however, that you are as filthy as f—. You are extremely filthy. I have previously recorded it. I have seen it. He declared, “I recorded the conversation.”
Some fans discovered old hits by the second-year safety as a result of social media outrage; one of them was Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, whose similar dive at the legs earlier this season caused him to tear an ACL.
“We follow this style of football here. “Believe what you hit while keeping your head up,” Campbell explained to the press. “I will perpetually state that to Kerby.”
Simply maintain open eyes to prevent colliding with the crown attached to your helmet, injuring your spine, or otherwise making a mess there. Observe precisely what you strike.
“He is aiming for the leg board and avoiding the head.” This is our method of playing defense. We have no filth. “We collided.” Joseph additionally posted to X to defend himself.
“Full disclosure: the game we are engaged in is extremely perilous.” I am offering prayers for my brother and his family. I have no intention of causing harm to anyone or tarnishing their career.
I have been an MFF dog since the moment I was born, and none of you on this page should be able to take that away from me,” he wrote.
Tyler Higbee sustained a knee injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s contest between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams, which would ultimately hinder his ability to return.
As he descended after attempting a high pass, Lions safety Kerby Joseph struck him in the knee, resulting in its buckling.
Since then, Higbee has received a diagnosis of torn ACL and MCL, and Matthew Stafford considered the hit to have been dirty from the beginning.
Immediately following Higbee’s fall, Stafford rushed towards Kerby and engaged in conversation with him. He described the safety as “dirty as (expletive)” and said, “It’s been captured on tape.”
Joseph has stated that he hardly intended to harm anyone’s career or cause injury, but this is the second occasion in the past month that he has caused an ACL tear in a tight end.
In December, he inflicted the same injury on Vikings defensive end T.J. Hockenson, which resulted in his season-long absence.
Although Joseph did not receive a flag for the strike on Higbee, which is technically not considered a foul, the play’s consequence of Higbee suffering a severe knee injury is regrettable.
After T.J. Hockenson, the Vikings tight end, suffered a similar hit from Joseph a few weeks earlier, Lions head coach Dan Campbell identified a fundamental flaw in Joseph’s blocking technique, even when defending Joseph on Wednesday.
Following the play, Joseph and Rams player Matthew Stafford exchanged words. The exchange between Joseph and Rams player Matthew Stafford was not amicable, and we now know what was expressed.
Stafford is most likely alluding to the Hockenson punch from Christmas Eve on that tape. Campbell’s remark, “See what you’ve hit,” is alluded to when a more comprehensive examination of the entire season may uncover additional peculiar low hits that Joseph attempted.
As a result of the hit, Rams safety Tyler Higbee was forced to leave the game and subsequently received an ACL tear diagnosis. Next season, Higbee’s participation will likely be affected by the timing of his injury.
Higbee was running in the middle of the field during the play in an attempt to catch a pass when Joseph slammed into the knee of the tight end at a rapid pace while attempting to break in the past with a bang-bang slam.
It was evident that Higbee’s leg was flexing laterally before his initial impact on the ground while wearing his helmet or face mask.
The field’s microphones captured the quarterback’s irate remarks to Johnson as Joseph gushed over the colossal hit that caused the errant pass.