The NFL appears to have a new safety concern that could need some addressing. Already attempting to ban helmet-to-helmet contact and horse collar tackles, the next potentially big change is the hip drop tackle.
What Is the Hip Drop Tackle? Why Is It Considered Dangerous?
So what is the hip drop? Rich McKay gave a description of it during league meetings on Oct. 17.
“What’s happening on the hip-drop is the defender is encircling tackling the runner and then swinging their weight and falling on the side of their leg, which is their ankle or their knee,” McKay said.
“When they use that tactic, you can see why they do, because it can be a smaller man against a bigger man, and they’re trying to get that person down because that’s the object of the game.
“But when they do it, the runner becomes defenseless. They can’t kick their way out from under. And that’s the problem. That’s where the injury occurs. You see the ankle get trapped underneath the weight of the defender.”
Here’s one example: Arden Key tugging down Patrick Mahomes during their 2022 season playoff game, which saw Mahomes leave momentarily with an ankle ailment.
Some are calling Arden Key’s takedown of Patrick Mahomes dirty because of the way he lands on his leg. Others say he didn’t do anything wrong.
Thoughts on this play? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/C84dgAsTr1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 21, 2023
Another example came from that same playoff weekend. In Santa Clara, San Francisco 49ers nickelback Jimmie Ward is seen dropping his hips on Tony Pollard. But the Dallas Cowboys running back is seen getting his foot caught underneath Ward.
Replay of Jimmie Ward tackle on Tony Pollard#DallasCowboys 6 #49ers 6 2ɴᴅ pic.twitter.com/MnoYR8mtIP
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 23, 2023
Have There Been 2023 Season Injuries From the Hip Drop Tackle?
The last time the controversial technique was seen in front of a nationally televised audience was on Oct. 2 between the Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants.
Geno Smith is seen getting wrapped up awkwardly by Isaiah Simmons on the sidelines. Smith, however, vents his frustration.
Geno Smith showed his frustration after Isaiah Simmons tackled him on the sideline 😳#SEAvsNYG pic.twitter.com/d0trgckmkc
— ESPN (@espn) October 3, 2023
“I don’t respect that type of stuff. You don’t need to take shots at guys running out of bounds on the sidelines,” Smith told reporters after the MNF contest.
Even Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll criticized the tactic. He said how he wished the hip drop would’ve been recognized. He added how dangerous the Simmons stop looked.
Hip Drop Makes Appearance During TNF Game Between Bengals and Ravens
Now, during the Week 12 Thursday Night Football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, the hip drop once again made an appearance and claimed a new injury.
MORE: Eagles’ Tush Push Causes Controversy Across League
Tight end Mark Andrews of the Ravens was forced to leave the game early in the first quarter on this stop made by Logan Wilson of the Bengals.
Here's the play where Mark Andrews was injured. He's now in the medical tent for further evaluation.pic.twitter.com/CdMtk7cB0y
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 17, 2023
Andrews sustained an ankle injury and became questionable to return following enduring the hip drop.
At the NFL Owner’s Meetings in December, the hip-drop tackle became an important talking point. NFL executive Troy Vincent spoke about the play and said that the owners would be looking for three components: grip, rotate, and drop. According to Vincent, NFL owners want to get that element out of the game.
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!