NFL to review ‘hip-drop’ tackle that led to Bucs star Chris Godwin’s gruesome ankle injury
The NFL is investigating a possible hip-drop tackle on the play that injured Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Chris Godwin during the closing stages of Monday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith is the one who took Godwin to the grass and accidentally caused the injury.
The NFL banned hip-drop tackles in March due to the increase in injuries the maneuver caused last season.
As stated in the NFL rulebook, “A hip-drop tackle occurs when a defender wraps around a ball carrier and twists or turns his hips, causing him to lose his weight and fall onto the ball carrier’s legs during the tackle.”
If Smith’s tackle was deemed a hip-drop, he would be fined $16,883, according to ESPN.
Baltimore’s Roquan Smith is under investigation by the NFL on Monday for his hip-drop tackle
The possible illegal tackle likely ended the season of Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Chris Godwin
Smith’s tackle was not ruled a hip-drop tackle during the game, which would also carry a 15-yard penalty.
Smith would not be suspended for the tackle.
Godwin was carted off the field with an air blast over his left leg. A dislocated ankle is the suspected injury, which would require surgery and end Godwin’s season.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles received some criticism after the game for leaving one of his best players on the field with less than two minutes remaining in a game his team could not win.
βIt’s a shame he (Chris Godwin) got injured and we feel bad about that. But he’s a football player and he wanted to be involved in the game, just like Baker and everyone else wanted to be involved in the game,β Bowles said after the game.
Godwin will be a free agent in March, with Monday’s injury potentially being his last action as a member of the Buccaneers.