When the NFL reviews whether to eliminate the hip-drop tackle next offseason, the video of Baltimore Ravens
tight end Mark Andrews injury will likely be shown.Andrews was injured in the first quarter Thursday on a hip-drop tackle by
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson. That same type of tackle caused a high ankle sprain to Patrick Mahomes
last postseason, and that got the discussion going on whether it should be outlawed.After the game,which the Ravens won 34-20, head coach John Harbaugh said the injury was serious and “it looks like a season-ending injury.”
Near the end of the Ravens opening drive, Andrews was tackled near the goal line and then was writhing on the ground in pain. He was ruled out before the first quarter finished.
The hip-drop tackle, in which a defender uses his weight to pull an opponent down, often pinning the ballcarriers legs underneath, could be banned by the league’s competition committee because of the danger and the recent injuries that have come from it.
Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by Logan Wilson of the Cincinnati Bengals, a play that knocked Andrews out of the game. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Patrick Smith via Getty Images)Andrews limped to the locker room and the Amazon Prime Video broadcast said he was on crutches. Andrews is the key player in the Ravens passing game, a three-time Pro Bowler. He had 521 yards and six touchdowns coming into Thursdays game. Its a massive blow to lose him for the rest of the season.
It wont be much consolation to Andrews, but by next season we might not see that type of tackle allowed anymore.