Former Lions running back blames Matt Patricia for career-ending injuries

New England senior football advisor Matt Patricia has come under fire from several former players in relation to his disastrous tenure as Detroit Lions head coach. Now, an ex-Lions running back is blaming Patricia for his short-lived pro career.

Kerryon Johnson, a second-round pick by Detroit in the 2018 NFL Draft, played 35 games in the NFL before injuries derailed his career. Recently, the former Auburn Tiger was asked by a fan on Twitter if he would entertain the idea of signing with a team this season.

“As a coach? Sure,” Johnson joked, adding a laughing emoji. A second fan asked why Johnson did not resume his career after last playing in 2021. 

Johnson responded to that one, too, suggesting that playing under Patricia was a major contributing factor. Wrote the former Auburn standout, “Because playing for a military general left me down 2 knees and a neck.”