One year ago, Detroit Lions defensive end Kerry Hyder saw what was once a promising young NFL career fall apart in an instant. The Texas Tech football alum ruptured his achilles tendon in Detroit’s second 2017 preseason game causing some to wonder if his career was in jeopardy.
It was a disappointing turn for a player that came from virtually nowhere to be one of the most important members of the Detroit defense. After spending 2014 on the New York Jets practice squad, the former un-drafted free agent led the Lions with 8.5 sacks in 2016 and figured to be primed for a breakout year in 2017.