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Kerby Joseph, former Illinois DB, joins Hall of Famer in rare NFL club

Sydney Hunte

By Sydney Hunte

Published:

Kerby Joseph, the former Illinois defensive back, is putting himself on pace for a career season in his 3rd year in the NFL.

Joseph, the Detroit Lions’ 3rd-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, posted 4 interceptions in each of his first 2 seasons. He matched that total on Sunday with an interception of Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush in a 47-9 win.

Joseph’s three straight seasons with at least 4 picks to start his career have put him in rare company. According to the Lions’ PR department, he’s the first safety to do so since Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed did it from 2002 to 2004.

The Lions improved to 4-1 with their blowout win over the Cowboys in Week 6, extending their win streak to 3 games. Dan Campbell’s team looks as if they will pick up from where they left off in 2023: finishing a win away from a first-ever Super Bowl appearance. Joseph has been a key part of the Lions’ resurgence as one of the league’s most downtrodden franchises looks as if it will be a contender for the foreseeable future.

Detroit will look to continue its hot play in Week 7 as they travel to face the surprising Minnesota Vikings, one of the NFL’s lone unbeaten teams at 5-0.

Sydney Hunte