ALAMEDA – Karl Joseph sat in the Raiders locker room Monday, with a pair of crutches by his side. A walking boot was nearby, transportation aids given the state of his ailing foot.
Joseph got hurt sealing victory over the L.A. Chargers, a leaping interception his final on-field act as a 2019 Raider.
That's a difficult reality for Joseph and those around him .The West Virginia alum was popular throughout the locker room, a relentless worker playing the best football of his career before an injury that ended his season far earlier than expected.
"I think, as a team, we really started to click. That's especially true in the secondary," said Joseph, formally placed on injured reserve Friday. "It wasn't just me necessarily. I think I was playing good ball, but we were coming together. I really believe we started to play good football and I wanted to be part of it moving forward. We have a strong chance to go to the playoffs. That's what is frustrating part for me."
Joseph is an eternal optimist, someone who relies on faith to weather tough times. It doesn't eliminate frustration completely. Joseph knew his season was in jeopardy right away.
"The first night was pretty rough," Joseph said. "I knew right away that something was wrong. I couldn't even walk right afterwards. The next day I was rebounding. I was raised on strong faith. I've been through a lot of adversity in my life, so this is nothing new. I'll be okay."
Joseph is waiting for the swelling to go down before formulating a rehabilitation plan. He will visit with renowned foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in Green Bay, Wis., and ponder surgery based upon the doctor's evaluation.
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His season is over no matter what, with the possibility of a lengthy rehab ahead. The timing isn't great considering the Raiders didn't pick up his fifth-year option. He'll head into unrestricted free agency without a chance to show he's fully healed and ready to play at the high level found in games before the injury.
The Raiders' 2016 first-round pick hopes to remain in silver and black next season, when the team moves to Las Vegas.
"Of course. This is the team that drafted me," Joseph said. "I love playing with this group of guys. I love working with this coaching staff and in [defensive coordinator Paul] Guenther's system. It's great for me and the safeties. We'll see what happens. It's out of my control now. All I can do it get healthy and get better. I believe everything will work itself out."
Joseph's safety partnership with Erik Harris was working out well. The pair was in great sync in recent games, allowing both players to maximize abilities, make big plays on the ball and minimize the communication errors that plagued the secondary earlier this season.
Harris was disappointed to see his partner fall, especially when an interception slipped through his hands a few plays earlier.
"He has a very positive outlook on life and that will help him through this," Harris said. "I just feel bad because, if I would've made that pick, then him and [Lamarcus Joyner, who suffered a hamstring strain a few plays before Joseph got hurt] would be healthy right now. It's just unfortunate. Karl is a great guy and a great player. I want to see him be healthy and to get paid. There is not a hard worker in this building than him. He strives to be great. He will lean on his faith, and that's big."
