Lions defend Tyler Higbee's low hit as NFL tells them to handle it

Rams tight end Tyler Higbee suffered what was believed to be a serious knee injury when he was hit by a low hit from Lions safety Kirby Joseph on Sunday night, and Joseph received some criticism for his drop. But Joseph and his teammates say the drop is exactly what the league office has ordered players to do in its quest to reduce concussions.

“This is how the league office is asking us to handle it,” Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone wrote on social media.

Anzalone added that Matthew Stafford should not have let the receiver reach a pass over the middle and expose his body that way.

“My point is that it is a legal hit,” Anzalone wrote. “It's a dangerous and violent sport. It's legal to cut DE blocks at full speed while being blinded on the play. The quarterback should know not to throw that ball and protect his player. And like I said, I don't want anyone getting hurt out there.”

Lions safety CJ Gardner Johnson was echoed by him.

“If anyone at the Rams felt like he was sloppy, fine He told his quarterback not to put the ball away “In a place where he gets his player hurt,” Gardner Johnson said, via ClickonDetroit.com.

“I am praying for my brother and his family, and I have no intention of hurting anyone or damaging their career,” Joseph wrote on social media.

It was an unfortunate injury, but not intentional.