The NFL has been trying to crack down on certain types of plays this year and one such play that resulted in a serious injury has resulted in disciplinary action against a member of the Chicago Bears.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the league has fined Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards a sum of $16,883 for unnecessary roughness for using a hip-drop tackle on Houston Texans star running back Joe Mixon in Week 2. The tackle caused an ankle injury to Mixon that kept him from practicing this past week. The Texans ultimately had to leave Mixon at home for their road trip against the Minnesota Vikings tomorrow.
The NFL has specifically designated the hip-drop tackle – the act of wrapping up a ball carrier and bringing all weight down onto their hips during a tackle – to the point of making it a penalty play if players use it.
NFL purists have criticized the rule for making it harder on defenses to make tackles, but a number of NFL players have praised the move, blaming that kind of tackle for serious injuries that they’ve suffered throughout their careers.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 08: Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans scores a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Justin Casterline/Getty Images
That isn’t to say that the NFL has been completely able to excise the play from football though. There have been at least a few notable instances over these first few weeks where a defender has gotten away from using the hip drop tackle.
But the NFL seems intent on getting it out of the game. If they’re determined enough, they may just succeed.
