After drawing criticism from opponents for low hits that badly injured tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Tyler Higbee and sent them to knee surgeries last season, Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph underwent a surgical procedure of his own.
During the start of the Lions offseason program this week, Joseph revealed that he had undergone surgery on his hip and will miss practices during the spring. But Joseph added that he expects to be ready for the start of training camp.
“I’m good, man,” Joseph said via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “A little hiccup but that ain’t nothing. Nothing can stop J-Kerb. I’m going to go all the way.”
He originally injured the hip in a Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks this past season and missed two games before playing through the injury for the remainder of the year. He made 82 tackles and tied for the team lead with four interceptions for the second straight season.
Joseph said the injured hip did not affect his play.
“If I’m out there, I’m going 100 percent,” Joseph said. “Ain’t no hindrance. I’m going to give all I’ve got every time. No excuses.”
It certainly did not bother him on Dec. 24 in a win over the Minnesota Vikings when, after a reception, he dove to tackle Hockenson at knee level, which turned Hockenson – a former Lion – for a somersault. Joseph made a similar hit on Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee on Jan. 15, in Detroit’s playoff win over Los Angeles.
Hockenson underwent ACL surgery in late January. He said he did not think the hit was dirty but would have preferred to be tackled higher.
Higbee, whose injury was more serious, tore his ACL on the play and also had surgery. Higbee is expected to miss time next season and Rams coach Sean McVay said that he expects Higbee to be placed on the PUP list when training camp begins.
Kerby was fined $5,032 by the NFL. Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford, also a former Lion, ran up to Joseph after the hit and told him it was a good hit but called Joseph “dirty as (expletive)”.