In a hard-fought battle on Monday night, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced off against the Baltimore Ravens, ultimately falling short in both the game and in terms of their star wide receiver, Chris Godwin. The talented receiver suffered a devastating dislocated ankle late in the match when trying to make a crucial catch during a desperate comeback attempt. The injury was so severe that even the ESPN broadcast declined to show a replay, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Now, the tackle that resulted in Godwin’s injury is under intense scrutiny by the league, with CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones confirming that it may have been a hip-drop tackle. This particular type of tackle had been banned in the off-season due to the high risk of serious injury it poses, as previously seen in cases involving players like Tony Pollard and Mark Andrews. Joe Mixon also fell victim to a similar tackle earlier in the season, expressing his belief that such plays should have been penalized.
The new rule regarding hip-drop tackles laid out the consequences for such actions – fines would be imposed on players found guilty of executing this dangerous move. Despite the potential danger and the ban on hip-drop tackles, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, the player responsible for Godwin’s injury, escaped a penalty during the game. However, pending the league’s review, Smith may face repercussions in the form of fines levied by the NFL.
The league disclosed that they had assessed 22 potential hip-drop tackles up to Week 6, resulting in seven fines being issued. Nevertheless, none of the incidents met the criteria necessary to warrant in-game penalties. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the rule and whether further adjustments may be needed to safeguard player safety on the field.
As the Buccaneers reel from their loss against the Ravens, they are now confronted with the sobering reality of a significant blow to their offensive capabilities with Godwin’s absence. The fallout from this incident underscores the ongoing debate surrounding player safety and the measures needed to prevent avoidable injuries in the future. Only time will tell how the league’s review of this tackle will impact the enforcement of rules aimed at protecting players like Chris Godwin from devastating injuries on the gridiron.
