The hip-drop tackle technique gained attention in college football over the weekend following a leg injury sustained by Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis.
A similar situation occurred with Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who will require ankle surgery and is projected to miss the remainder of the season due to an analogous tackle, igniting discussions within the NFL.
The controversial “hip-drop” tackle has faced backlash due to its potential to inflict lower body injuries.
Reports suggest that the league is likely to ban this tackling method in the upcoming offseason, with defensive players facing strict penalties for its implementation.
Though there had been prior discussions regarding a ban on the hip-drop tackle in the NFL, these conversations did not lead to a definitive action. Going forward, the focus will be on finding alternative techniques for players pursuing the ball carrier to make their tackles without providing an unfair advantage to their opponents.
Defensive teams will need to adapt to these new rules or face penalties. One possible approach could involve containing players physically until teammates can step in to complete the tackle, a task that presents significant challenges.
