Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon criticized the NFL for not enforcing its new hip-drop tackle rule Sunday after he injured his ankle on what he perceived to be an illegal tackle by Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards.
Following the Texans’ 19-13 win over the Bears on Sunday night, Mixon posted on X that the league “made it a rule and an emphasis for a reason.” The NFL banned the swivel hip-drop tackle — a technique that league officials deemed a threat to player safety — in March with unanimous approval from NFL owners. Mixon left the game after the tackle by Edwards.
“Time to put your money where your mouth is,” Mixon wrote.
The league defined a swivel hip-drop tackle as containing three parts: a tackler grabs a runner with both hands/arms while attempting to make a tackle, “unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body,” and then lands on and traps the runner’s leg(s) at or below the knee.
Such a tackle would result in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down. The technique became more popular in recent years as players looked to avoid using their helmets in tackles, which draws penalties and increases the risk of concussions.
The NFL and NFLPA made it a rule and an emphasis for a reason. Time to put your money where your mouth is.
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) September 16, 2024
Unless it’s clear in real time, the referees aren’t supposed to throw a flag. But that doesn’t mean the film won’t be reviewed by the league. A player could still receive a warning or a fine after the fact. Two New York Giants players were reportedly fined after Week 1, even though neither was flagged for a hip-drop tackle during the game.
The NFL Players Association expressed disappointment over the decision to outlaw the tackle when it was voted in. Players worried about officials enforcing such a tackle consistently in a fast-paced game.
After Sunday’s game, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said that he “couldn’t really see” whether Mixon was brought down by a swivel hip-drop tackle.
“I saw it that Joe got rolled up and they were kind of tangled up and the guy’s weight definitely came down on his ankle, and didn’t look good for my view,” Ryans said.
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Mixon’s injury wasn’t the only instance Sunday where a non-call over a potential hip-drop tackle made waves. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after arguing with an official for not flagging a hip-drop tackle.
“We informed him that we did not feel it was a hip-drop tackle,” referee Alex Kemp said of the Chase play.
Mixon finished with nine carries for 25 yards against the Bears.
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