CARD: Panini Elite 2017
ACQUIRED: 2025, Private Break

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

• Joe Mathis played OLB at Washington from 2013-’16.
•  Posted 15.5 TFLs, nine sacks and two forced fumbles before suffering a year-ending toe ligament tear injury in 2016. 
• The toe injury was… unusual… requiring 9 screws be inserted into his foot to squeeze a bone back together.
• Initial diagnoses were optimistic at 6 weeks, but it turned into a year long rehab instead where he had to learn how to walk, jog and run again.
• Over his college career he appeared in 41 contests.
• Graded out as a DE/EDGE, and although his athletic skill set intrigued scouts, Mathis went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft due in part to lingering concerns about his recovery from his injury.
• Received an invitation to come to a mini-camp with the Houston Texas, but failed the physical exam because of his foot.
• Ended up joining the CFL British Columbia Lions as an import player, but didn’t make the squad.
• Spotted at the Huskies 2018 pro day after fully recovering from the toe injury and looked swole, but didn’t draw any attention.
• Joe kept the dream alive and has played pro ball in the Xleague for the Fujitsu Frontiers located in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.