ESPN's Greg McElroy, Booger McFarland debate banning 'hip drop' tackles after recent injuries

The “hip drop” tackle is getting more and more scrutiny in recent weeks and years as more players have been seemingly hurt as a result of it. And after another player, Florida State’s Jordan Travis, apparently was injured on a play when a hip drop tackle was deployed, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy called for them to be curbed.

McElroy took to social media on Saturday evening to make his case. He clarified that he doesn’t think anyone using a hip drop is dirty, but he can’t deny it’s a dangerous play.

“We HAVE to do something about Hip-Drop tackles. It’s like the ‘Horse Collar’ from awhile back. It’s not dirty, but it’s dangerous. There’s been SO many lower leg injuries from Hip Drops over the years. We must address it as a sport,” McElroy said on social media.

Along with Travis, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews suffered a season-ending lower leg injury on an apparent hip drop tackle on Thursday Night Football days prior to the Florida State quarterback getting injured.

The hip drop tackle is essentially what it’s called. A defender trying to chase down an offensive player from behind wraps up the ball carrier from behind or the side around the hips and then drops their body weight. It’s one of the most efficient ways for a defender to halt the forward progress of someone running with the ball, but perhaps to dangerous ends.

However, one of McElroy’s fellow ESPN analysts didn’t concur with his take.

Booger McFarland responded to McElroy, agreeing that the play certainly has its pitfalls, but that at a certain point defenders can’t be cut off from ways to bring down big, strong and fast offensive players.

“Agree on horse collar, the hip drop I’ll push back,” McFarland said, replying. “How are we as a defender suppose to get a guy down running full speed away from us while trying to pull away when we grab him? I agree on making the game safer however we have to be able to get fast explosive players down.”

It’s a safe bet that while nothing will happen in the short term, leadership for both the NFL and various college football conferences and other entities will be examining the hip drop tackle and how to attempt to rein in the injuries that it might be leading to during the upcoming offseason.

What, if any, action comes of that thinking remains to be seen. But McElroy and McFarland will surely have plenty to talk about if it does.