Texas Tech football alumni: Kerry Hyder back from torn achilles

Former Texas Tech football star Kerry Hyder is working to return from a torn achilles tendon that cost him all of 2017 just as he was set to break out in Detroit.

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.

But that changed with one step on the turf at Lucas Oil stadium in Indianapolis. Now, instead of being a breakout star, Hyder is simply hoping to prove that he is healthy enough to contribute again.

More from Wreck'Em Red

"“I thought he did an outstanding job coming back through the spring,” new Detroit head coach Matt Patricia said. “You talk about a guy that did everything possible through his rehabilitation and working with our trainers and our strength staff to make sure he was ready to go for training camp. I think he just willed himself ready to go, to be honest with you. I mean, most of those injuries take a little bit longer.”"

Without Hyder, Detroit finished 20th in sacks last season as the franchise continues its long-running attempts to put a quality defense opposite star quarterback Matthew Stafford. Playing on a defense that is trying to keep pace with a high-powered offense is nothing new for Hyder.

While at Texas Tech from 2009-2013, Hyder was an undersized defensive tackle who was the heartbeat of a Texas Tech defense that also struggled to get to the passer and was consistently the weak link of the program.

But those defensive struggles were not because of Hyder. Despite being the focal point of opposing offensive lines, often being tasked with beating double-team blockers, Hyder finished his career in Lubbock with 176 tackles (33.5 for loss) and 11.0 sacks. He also forced eight fumbles in his four-year career.

Hyder has been working with the first-team in camp this fall and if he is healthy, he should start opposite franchise end Ziggy Ansah (who is still working back from offseason knee surgery and could be slowed to start the year as well.) It would be great to see Hyder return to form and be a potential double-digit sack player in 2018 but right now, that is not his focus.

"“I’m not really one to be into statistics,” Hyder said. “I’m just trying to put the work in and let my play do the talking.”"

2017 Rewatch: Defense awful vs. OU. dark. Next

If Hyeder is able to fully regain his health and mobility, he won’t have to do much talking. That is because if he can be part of a defensive renaissance in Detroit, everyone else will be talking about him.

Home/Texas Tech Football