One significant story of the NFL offseason was the decision to eliminate the hip-drop tackle due to its potential for causing severe injuries. However, identifying this dangerous maneuver during games has proven challenging for officials.
Instances have arisen where officials missed calling what appeared to be hip-drop tackles. For example, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen believed he experienced one in Week 1, leading to a dispute with the referees that ultimately went unresolved. Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase was also vocal about a tackle he felt should have been flagged, leading to a 15-yard penalty against him, although he refrained from commenting after his team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
During a recent game, Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon was injured in a play that appeared to exemplify the type of tackle the NFL aimed to penalize this season. Mixon was taken down by Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards in a manner that looked like a classic hip-drop tackle, with his foot pinned beneath him. Despite the nature of the tackle, no penalty was called, and Mixon limped off the field but returned shortly thereafter, fortunate that the injury wasn’t more severe.
After the game, Mixon expressed his dissatisfaction on social media regarding the officiating. He exchanged words with the referee about the tackle, questioning the absence of a penalty despite the NFL’s commitment to addressing such plays. He stated, “Time to put your money where your mouth is.”
Both commentators during the Sunday night broadcast, Cris Collinsworth and Mike Tirico, noted that the play possessed all the elements characteristic of the hip-drop tackle the league is trying to eliminate. They acknowledged the difficulty officials face in recognizing these tactics in real time, but emphasized the importance of addressing the issue to prevent such dangerous plays in the future. While it might not have mitigated the risk for Mixon in this instance, the goal of discouraging hip-drop tackles remains a priority for the NFL.