NFL competition committee unanimously votes to ban controversial hip-drop tackle

The NFL has reportedly made the final decision on the controversial hip-drop tackle. Despite the NFLPA giving the proposal to ban the tackling technique a resounding, “no,” the league is moving forward with a ban, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Per Rapoport, the committee was unanimous in its decision.

By enacting the competition committee’s proposal, a hip-drop tackle penalty will result in a loss of 15 yards and an automatic first down for the opposing team. Here is the NFL Competition Committee’s proposed amendment to Rule 12, Section 2 of the NFL rule book:

“Article 18. Hip-drop tackle. It is a foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground:
(a) grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and
(b) unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner’s leg(s) at or below the knee.”

If you’re having a hard time visualizing the tackle, here’s a clip of one hip-drop tackle that ended running back Rhamondre Stevenson‘s season in Week 13 this year. He suffered a high-ankle sprain as a result of the hit by Chargers defender Tuli Tuipulotu.

#RhamondreStevenson
Another hip drop tackle victim
Drops ball in reaction to injuryhttps://t.co/z1GaiSd7E4 pic.twitter.com/TiTWieQMdn

— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 3, 2023

Jerry Jones approves of ban on hip-drop tackles

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones weighed in on the potential for a ban this week. He was fully in favor of the ban.

“You can coach that one (out),” Jones said. “In my mind, that’s one of the easier deals. It reminds me a little of (the) horse collar. That’s needed. That’s very needed. It’s very obvious that it’s injurious.”

Jones’ team suffered a major loss before the playoffs in 2022 due to a hip-drop tackle on running back Tony Pollard. Pollard fractured his left fibula and had a high-ankle sprain that needed surgery after a hip-drop tackle late in the season, forcing him to go on IR for the remainder of the year.

NFL sees spike injuries

ESPN analyst Greg McElroy called for hip-drop tackles at all levels to go after Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis fractured his leg against North Alabama. The injury knocked him out for the rest of the year. It also subsequently gave the CFP committee a reason not to include the Seminoles in the College Football Playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews suffered a season-ending lower leg injury on an apparent hip-drop tackle on Thursday Night Football. That was just days before the Florida State quarterback suffered his gruesome injury.