The new rule banning swivel hip-drop tackles has come under fire after Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon was injured on such a play against the Chicago Bears. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) had expressed concerns about the rule, saying it could cause confusion for players, coaches, officials, and fans.
The NFL banned swivel hip-drop tackles earlier this year in a bid to reduce player injuries. However, the rule has already come under fire after Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon was injured on such a play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.
Mixon left the game in the third quarter after Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards brought him down in a manner that Mixon felt was illegal. He left the game with an ankle injury and only briefly returned to the field before being taken out again.
NFLPA concerns valid as Mixon injured on play intended to be prohibited
Mixon made his feelings known about the move on Twitter.
"The NFL and NFLPA made it a rule and an emphasis for a reason," Mixon wrote. "Time to put your money where your mouth is.
NFLPA concerns valid as Mixon injured on play intended to be prohibited
"When I got up I asked the ref where is the flag that was a hip tackle. & his reply was no it wasn’t."
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said he would have to look at the play again before he made a complaint over whether it was a swivel hip-drop tackle that hurt Mixon.
NFLPA concerns valid as Mixon injured on play intended to be prohibited
"Joe got rolled up. The guy's weight definitely came down on his ankle," he said, via ESPN. "We'll evaluate Joe throughout the week. Hopefully he's OK."
The NFLPA had expressed concerns about the rule before it was implemented. The union said it could not support a rule that would cause confusion for players, coaches, officials, and fans.
NFL officials acknowledged in March the real-time challenge officials would have calling the foul, and it appears that is the case through the first two weeks of the regular season.
The NFL has not yet commented on Mixon's injury or the officiating of the play.
The swivel hip-drop tackle has been the catalyst for some injuries around the league in recent years. The NFL commissioner led the way for the rule to be voted on, which received unanimous approval from owners.
However, the NFLPA's fears may have been correct. The Mixon injury is a reminder that the rule may be difficult to officiate and could lead to more injuries.
It remains to be seen whether the NFL will make any changes to the rule in light of Mixon's injury. However, it is clear that the NFLPA's concerns were valid.
Here are some additional details about the play and the rule:
* The play occurred in the third quarter of the Texans-Bears game.
* Mixon was running the ball when Edwards tackled him from behind.
* Edwards appeared to wrap his arms around Mixon's legs and then drop his weight on Mixon's ankle.
* Mixon immediately got up and protested to the officials that Edwards had made an illegal tackle.
* The officials did not call a penalty on the play.
* Mixon left the game with an ankle injury.
The NFL's rule against swivel hip-drop tackles defines the tackle as one in which the defender "rolls or drops their weight onto the lower extremities of an opponent." The rule is intended to prevent injuries to the knees and ankles.
The NFL has said that it will strictly enforce the rule and that any player who violates the rule will be penalized. However, it is clear that the rule is difficult to officiate and that there may be some confusion about what constitutes an illegal tackle.
The Mixon injury is a reminder that the NFL's new rule against swivel hip-drop tackles may not be effective in preventing injuries. It is also a reminder that the NFLPA's concerns about the rule were valid.
