[Baltimore Sun] NFL is reviewing Ravens’ Roquan Smith’s tackle that injured Bucs’ Chris Godwin
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When Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin suffered an ankle injury in the final minute of Monday night’s loss to the Ravens, ESPN’s production crew deemed the play too gruesome to replay on the national broadcast.
Godwin — who is expected to have surgery later this week on what is believed to be a dislocated ankle that would likely sideline him for the rest of the season — had his lower leg rolled over by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith.
That tackle is now being reviewed as a potential hip-drop tackle, according to an NFL source with direct knowledge of the league’s review, a banned play that, if substantiated, could result in a fine for the two-time All-Pro and captain of Baltimore’s defense.
In March, teams unanimously voted to ban the hip-drop tackle, citing an injury rate 20 times higher than a normal tackle. A hip-drop tackle occurs when a defender wraps up a ball carrier and rotates or swivels his hips, the league says, unweighting himself and dropping onto the ball carrier’s legs.
Schefter posted on X that Smith’s tackle had all the makings of the banned move.
Here is the play on which Chris Godwin was hurt that now will be under review: https://t.co/wzw0Ob5jPn pic.twitter.com/7JOYezfrsQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2024
Hip-drop tackles result in a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down when called, but through Week 7, it has yet to be called during a game. Smith was not immediately penalized although the play is more commonly addressed in the following days. Players can receive a warning letter but could be subject to a fine.
Smith has already been fined once this season for unnecessary roughness after a horse collar tackle on Chiefs running back Isaiah Pacheco, but the Ravens linebacker won his appeal of that fine.
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The Washington Post’s Mark Maske reported that league leaders at an NFL owners’ meeting last week deemed there had been 22 plays up for review of a hip-drop tackle this season. Though no flags have been thrown, seven players have been fined.
Baltimore is no stranger to the hip-drop tackle. It’s why tight end Mark Andrews missed two months of the season last year, having been pulled down by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson last November. Andrews’ injury reignited the argument for the NFL to ban it.
After Smith’s tackle on Monday, Godwin’s left leg was put in an aircast and he was carted off the field. “It doesn’t look good,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles told reporters postgame. The 28-year-old was on pace for a career-best season; through seven weeks, he ranked second in the NFL in recovering yards (576) and first in receptions (50).
Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.
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