Who Should I Start? Kerby Joseph or Jalen Pitre

Thursday, April 18, 10:12 PM

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (arm) will not be cleared to practice until training camp this summer while he recovers from an arm injury. Joseph suffered the arm injury during the NFC Championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and it's going to keep him out of workouts this spring. But as long as the 23-year-old doesn't suffer a setback when he gets back on the field in training camp, he should be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season and will operate as Detroit's starting free safety. The former third-rounder in 2022 out of Illinois has recorded 164 tackles (124 solo), eight interceptions, 19 passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 32 games (29 starts) in his first two years in the NFL. When healthy, Joseph is on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues for depth at the DB position.

Friday, December 13, 12:19 PM

The Houston Texans officially placed defensive back Jalen Pitre (pectoral) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Friday. Pitre is done for the year, even if the Texans advance deep into the postseason, and will have surgery to fix his ruptured pectoral muscle. The 25-year-old safety will end his third season in the NFL with 65 tackles (44 solo), six tackles for loss, one interception, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble in his 12 starts. In his absence the rest of the way, defensive backs Eric Murray, M.J. Stewart and Myles Bryant should all see more snaps on defense for the Texans. Losing Pitre at this critical juncture is definitely a downgrade for Houston's secondary as they get set for a Week 15 tilt against the visiting Miami Dolphins this Sunday.