Joe Fauria was a phenom as a rookie for the 2013 Detroit Lions. As an undrafted rookie from UCLA, the affable 6-foot-8 tight end caught seven touchdown passes among his 18 receptions, including five in his first six games. He celebrated each with a barrage of funky dance moves that instantly endeared him to Lions fans.

Then it all went south overnight. Early in his second season, Fauria suffered a nasty ankle injury that essentially ended his career.

Fauria was a known volleyball aficionado, but he insisted the ankle got ruined while potty-training his puppy. Now he admits that was a lie.

In the latest episode of his “Figure It Out with Big Joe” podcast, the Hawaiian native admits he hurt his ankle landing awkwardly while playing volleyball.

“I hit the ball at the 10-foot line, and I’m like, ‘(Expletive) yeah,’” Fauria recalls. “But when I come down, I come down on just ankle, left ankle. This most amazing, shocking pain that I’ve never felt in my entire life shoots up my leg, and immediately I’m like, ‘Career’s over.’”

It’s not an uncommon injury for volleyball players. I was fortunate to never have it in my 20-plus years of competitive volleyball. Most wear extra ankle braces for additional support. But it’s not a typical injury for a football player … or someone potty-training a puppy.

It’s nice that Fauria finally came clean on the issue. And if he’s still up for a volleyball game, my wife — a former beach volleyball pro — and I will be waiting on the court.

Thanks to our friends at Pride of Detroit for tipping us off to the story!