Charles Brock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The NFL is looking into Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith’s tackle on Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin for a potential violation of its new hip-drop tackle rule, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The two-time Pro Bowler would be subject to a fine if the tackle falls under the guidelines.
The tackle resulted in Godwin dislocating his ankle and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the 2019 Pro Bowler is due to have surgery this week. NFL Network colleague Tom Pelissero said he isn’t expected to return this year.
Teams voted unanimously in March to ban hip-drop tackles, which are described as “when a defender wraps up a ball-carrier and rotates or swivels his hips, unweighting himself and dropping onto ball carrier’s legs during the tackle.”
Based on its research, the league found that hip-drop tackles result in “lower extremity injuries at a rate 20 times higher than other tackles.”
However, the rule highlights an ongoing existential dilemma for the NFL. Making the game safer means shifting an even higher burden to defensive players and evolving the sport to a point where it’s dramatically different from what fans have come to expect.
In 2023, the NFL Players Association issued a statement voicing its concerns over a hip-drop rule, calling it “unfair to players and unrealistic to implement.” The union’s sentiment remained the same this spring when it was a topic of discussion again.
NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent told reporters on Oct. 15 the league examined 22 potential instances of a hip-drop tackle. Seven were worthy of a fine and none was flagged for a penalty.
Leave a Reply