When the NFL considers whether to eliminate the hip drop tackle next offseason, video of Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews’ injury will likely be shown.
Andrews was injured on a hip-drop tackle by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson in the first quarter on Thursday. The same type of tackle caused Patrick Mahomes to suffer a severe ankle sprain last postseason, and that sparked debate about whether it should be banned.
Near the end of the Ravens’ opening drive, Andrews was tackled near the goal line and then writhed on the floor in obvious pain. He was ejected before the end of the first quarter.
The hip drop tackle. In which a defender uses his weight to pull an opponent to the ground, often pinning the ball carrier’s legs underneath, could be banned by the league’s competition committee due to the obvious danger and recent injuries resulting from it.
Andrews hobbled into 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 heading into Thursday’s game.
It was a great loss to see Andrews leave the pitch for the dressing room with a serious injury. Next season we may not see the type of tackling that caused the injury.
