Lions DC Aaron Glenn says rookie safety close to breakthrough

“It has showed up the past couple of weeks, him getting his hands on the ball,” Glenn told reporters. “Now he hasn’t caught them, which he did a good job in college doing that. It’s going to break through for that player at some point. When he gets one, it’s going to be like a domino effect. I can guarantee there’s going to be a couple of them. He just has to break through.

“…The other thing he’s doing a very good job with is tackling. You saw the caused fumble that he had. He’s a more physical player than we saw in college and that’s what we need out of our safeties. He’s just starting to understand the game of football. It’s totally different than it is in college, so it took him some time. It’s still going to take him some time to totally grasp how the NFL operates. But I am pleased, very pleased with that player.”

Playing a reserve role for the first three games of the year, Joseph has seen his playing time increase the last three games. He’s played 95 percent or more of defensive snaps in each of Detroit’s last three games. He has 15 tackles, a pass breakup and a forced fumble in six games so far in 2022.

Joseph has allowed two receptions on seven targets for 22 yards and a team-low completion percentage of 28.6 in coverage this season. He’s the Lions’ top-ranked defensive back in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.