Linval

Joseph

The Cowboys continue to reinforce the defensive line, adding Joseph after trading for DT Jordan Phillips last week. Joseph appeared in seven games for the Bills last season, recording one sack and 12 tackles. He was once a Pro-Bowler with the Vikings, but now the 35-year-old will be a reserve for the Cowboys. Jerry Jones had wanted to add more defensive tackles and Joseph’s signing supports that desire and adds depth at the position.

Joseph was a mid-November signing by the Eagles last season, and is now an early-November signing by the Bills. The veteran tackle appeared in eight games for the Eagles last season, totaling 20 tackles and half a sack. Joseph will be tasked with stabilizing a Bills rush defense that’s allowing the 11th most rush yards per game (122.0) and the 12th highest EPA per rush attempt. Far from a splashy play, Joseph is a veteran presence who meets a significant need for a Bills defense marred with injuries.

Signing Joseph, who started 12 games for the Chargers in 2021, could be the Eagles’ attempt to boost a rush defense that has been embarrassed in recent games. The Eagles allow the second highest rush EPA in the league and on Monday night against Washington gave up 130 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

The Chargers have had a handful of defensive linemen land on the COVID list recently including Joey Bosa and Jerry Tillery. Both players were activated ahead of LA’s Week 11 game versus the Steelers. Joseph has a sack and two TFLs this year. If he’s vaccinated, he can return two negative tests 24 hours apart and return to the active roster before Sunday.

Joseph was released earlier this week with Minnesota opting to create cap space and get younger on defense, but Joseph was still a decent player in 2019. He made 44 tackles and had six quarterback hits across 13 games. He’ll slide in between the Chargers duo of edge rushers and be tasked with slowing down the run. Joseph will be entering his age-32 season this fall.

The core of the Vikings defense has been together for years, but there will be new faces in 2020 with Minnesota also cutting CB Xavier Rhodes on Friday morning. Joseph wasn’t playing at his peak last season, but he is still an effective player when he’s fully healthy. The veteran defensive tackle compiled 44 tackles and six QB hits across 13 games in 2019, more than enough production for him to have a market in free agency.

Joseph has three years left on his deal, but $5.3 million of his $11.15 million salary becomes guaranteed on March 20. That could be tough for the cash-strapped Vikings to fit with Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook in line for extensions. Joseph was healthy for just 13 games last year due to a knee injury. He’ll likely need a pay cut to remain in Minnesota.

As expected. Inactive for the Vikings are WR Adam Thielen (hamstring), DT Hercules Mata’afa, LB Cameron Smith, OG Dru Samia, OT Oli Udoh, OT Aviante Collins, and DT Jalyn Holmes.

Joseph’s presence is bad news for the entire Seahawks’ rushing attack. Chris Carson fumbled *twice* in Week 12, although the second was due more to confusion at the mesh point between him and Russell Wilson than a lack of ball security. Either way, the Seahawks have clearly grown tired of this trend and decided to ride the hot hand with Rashaad Penny against the Eagles. The second-year RB responded brilliantly, converting his 14 carries into 129 yards and an electric 58-yard touchdown. Talent has never really been an issue for Penny; Carson has simply operated as the better player for most of the last 18 months. It remains to be seen if this new-look distribution will be the new norm in this backfield. At the very least, Carson’s days of receiving 20-plus touches and a near every-down role appear to be over.

Joseph’s ahead of schedule since his initial timeframe pinned him to the sidelines for at least four weeks. Jaleel Johnson has filled-in for Joseph in the interim, but it would obviously help to get the latter back against Seattle’s run-first attack as early as this Sunday. Limited participation throughout the week would at least put him on track to suit up.