Linval Joseph Bio
Linval Clement Joseph (born October 10, 1988) is an American professional football defensive tackle. He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates and was selected by the New York Giants in the second round, 46th overall, of the 2010 NFL Draft. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 330 pounds, Joseph built a reputation as a powerful interior presence who could stop the run and pressure the quarterback.
Across his NFL career, Joseph has suited up for the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Dallas Cowboys. He is a Super Bowl champion, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, and one of the most respected defensive tackles of his era. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 and remains active in the league.
Early Life and Background
Linval Clement Joseph was born on October 10, 1988, in Christiansted, Saint Croix, in the United States Virgin Islands. Growing up in Saint Croix, he developed an early love for sports and physical competition, a foundation that would later shape his football career.
Joseph attended Santa Fe High School in Alachua, Florida, where he was a four-year letterman in football for the Raiders. He was a two-time All-state selection in Class AAA as a junior and senior, and an All-region honoree. In addition to football, Joseph lettered three times in both powerlifting and track and field, earning a total of 10 varsity letters. In powerlifting, he recorded a 415-pound bench press and a 560-pound squat, while also capturing the Florida State Bench Press Championship and the Florida State Weightlifting Championship. In track and field, he became one of the state’s top throwers, posting personal bests of 17.13 meters in the shot put and 48.41 meters in the discus, and he won a state title in the shot put during his senior year.
Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Joseph was rated the 44th-ranked defensive tackle nationally and the 59th-ranked recruit out of Florida in the 2007 Rivals Recruiting Yearbook. SuperPrep Magazine listed him as the 76th-ranked overall recruit in Florida, and he was viewed as a top-500 national prospect with clear professional potential.
Path to American Football
Joseph chose to attend East Carolina University, where he played for the East Carolina Pirates from 2007 to 2009. As a true freshman in 2007, he played in all 13 games with four starts, recording 40 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and half a sack. He was named to the 2007 Conference USA All-Freshman Team, an early sign of his potential as an interior defender.
As a sophomore in 2008, Joseph appeared in all 14 games, opening the last nine consecutive starts at defensive tackle. He posted 43 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and earned an honorable mention All-Conference USA selection. Following his junior season in 2009, when he recorded 60 tackles, three sacks, and 13 tackles for loss, Joseph announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and declare for the 2010 NFL Draft. He finished his college career with 143 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks, and he was named first-team All-Conference USA in 2009.
Linval Joseph Career
Early Career (2010–2011)
Joseph was selected by the New York Giants with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft and signed his rookie contract on July 31, 2010. As a rookie, he was inactive for 10 games and appeared in six contests, finishing with eight combined tackles. His first NFL game came in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears.
In 2011, Joseph was moved into a full-time starting role, starting 15 games and playing in all 16 contests. He recorded his first career sack on October 30 against Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore and registered a season-high nine solo tackles against the Green Bay Packers. Joseph started in Super Bowl XLVI as the Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 to win the championship, finishing the postseason as a key contributor on a defensive line that held opponents to an average of 14 points per game.
Minnesota Vikings Breakthrough (2014–2019)
On March 11, 2014, Joseph signed a five-year, $31.5 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings, including a $3 million signing bonus and $12.5 million guaranteed. In August 2014, he was one of nine people shot by a gunman inside the Minneapolis nightclub 400 Soundbar, suffering a minor calf injury from a stray bullet. He recovered quickly and finished the 2014 season with three sacks and 47 total tackles in 16 starts.
Joseph was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his performance in a 21-18 overtime win over the St. Louis Rams in Week 9 of the 2015 season, becoming the first Vikings defensive tackle to win the award in over a decade. In 2016, he tied his career high with four sacks, posted 77 tackles, and was selected to his first Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Aaron Donald. On August 5, 2017, Joseph signed a four-year, $50 million contract extension with $31.5 million guaranteed, and he was named to his second straight Pro Bowl in January 2018. In 2018, he scored the first touchdown of his career on a 65-yard fumble recovery against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he was released by the Vikings on March 13, 2020.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2020–2021)
On March 30, 2020, Joseph signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He appeared in and started all 16 games in 2020, recording 62 total tackles. In 2021, he played in 14 games with 12 starts and finished with 57 total tackles and one sack, providing veteran leadership on the Chargers’ defensive front.
Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills (2022–2023)
On November 16, 2022, Joseph agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. He appeared in eight regular season games and recorded 20 total tackles and half a sack. During the 2022 NFC Championship Game, he recovered a key fumble forced by linebacker Haason Reddick, a play that led to a significant arm injury for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. The Eagles went on to lose Super Bowl LVII to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35.
On November 2, 2023, Joseph signed a one-year deal worth up to $3.72 million with the Buffalo Bills. He played in seven games and recorded one sack during the 2023 season.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2024–Present)
On August 27, 2024, Joseph signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys. In the 2024 season, he finished with two sacks, 19 tackles, and one forced fumble, providing a veteran presence on the interior of the Cowboys’ defensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Linval Joseph is widely regarded as a classic run-stuffing defensive tackle with rare power and surprising quickness for his size. He excels at occupying double teams, clogging running lanes, and pushing the pocket against opposing quarterbacks. His combination of leverage, hand technique, and conditioning has allowed him to remain productive late in his career, and he is known for his strong communication with defensive line partners and his ability to play multiple techniques along the interior front.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joseph’s career-defining moment came as a starter on the New York Giants’ defensive line in Super Bowl XLVI, which the Giants won 21-17 over the New England Patriots. He earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2016 and 2017, signed a four-year, $50 million extension with the Vikings in 2017, and scored his first career touchdown on a 65-yard fumble recovery in 2018. He also appeared in Super Bowl LVII with the Philadelphia Eagles, capping a career that has included sustained excellence and postseason success.
Linval Joseph Career Wins
Linval Joseph’s career is highlighted by a Super Bowl XLVI championship with the New York Giants, two Pro Bowl selections with the Minnesota Vikings, and steady contributions across more than a decade in the NFL. While defensive tackles are rarely measured purely by win totals, Joseph has been part of multiple playoff teams and has posted consistently productive tackle and sack numbers at every stop.
Super Bowl Highlights
Joseph started in Super Bowl XLVI, recording two tackles as the Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 to claim the championship. Several years later, he appeared in Super Bowl LVII with the Philadelphia Eagles, a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, giving him appearances in two Super Bowls across his career.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his Super Bowl appearances, Joseph was a key starter on Vikings and Chargers defenses that made regular playoff pushes in the mid-to-late 2010s. He was a first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2009 at East Carolina, and he won multiple state titles in high school powerlifting and track and field, including a state championship in the shot put.
Linval Joseph Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Linval Joseph was born and raised in Christiansted, Saint Croix, in the United States Virgin Islands, before moving to Florida for high school. Information about his parents and immediate family members has not been publicly confirmed in verified sources.
Personal Life
Publicly available verified information about Linval Joseph’s marital status, spouse, and children is limited. He is known to have built his football career in the United States after growing up in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and he has been recognized for his community involvement, including his recovery from a 2014 nightclub shooting in Minneapolis.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Linval Joseph’s status with the Dallas Cowboys will be closely watched after his one-year, $2.5 million contract signed in August 2024. He finished the 2024 season with two sacks, 19 tackles, and one forced fumble, demonstrating that he can still contribute on the interior defensive line. The Cowboys are expected to rely on his veteran leadership and run-stopping ability as they shape their defensive rotation for the upcoming campaign.
If Joseph returns for 2025, he will be counted on to mentor younger defensive linemen and provide a steady presence against the run. His experience from two Super Bowl appearances and multiple playoff runs makes him a valuable locker room presence regardless of his statistical output. The Cowboys’ defensive staff will likely use him in rotational packages designed to maximize his leverage and power while managing his workload.
Joseph’s long-term future beyond 2025 will depend on his health, performance, and the Cowboys’ plans along the defensive line. Given his track record of durability and consistent production, he remains a credible option for teams seeking experienced interior help, whether in Dallas or elsewhere in the league.