Baltimore Ravens’ linebacker Roquan Smith could face disciplinary action as the NFL probes into whether he used a prohibited hip-drop tackle on Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ receiver Chris Godwin.
During Monday Night Football, the Ravens clinched a commanding 41-31 victory over the Bucs, thanks to Lamar Jackson’s impressive five touchdowns. However, the match concluded on a bitter note when Godwin sustained a season-ending dislocated ankle in the final minute.
Godwin’s horrific injury happened during a 21-yard catch-and-run as the Bucs were attempting a comeback. ESPN chose not to replay the tackle and injury, with the former Pro Bowler seen crawling on the field after the hit from Smith before medical staff immobilised his foot in an air cast and loaded him onto the cart.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that the NFL is now scrutinising the play and investigating if Smith’s tackle contained all the elements of the hip-drop tackle, which was unanimously voted to be banned at the annual league meeting back in March. If the review determines the tackle breached the revised rule, Smith will be liable to a fine.
The NFL recently confirmed it had reviewed 22 instances of so-called hip-drop tackles. Described officially by the league as a situation where a defender approaches from behind or the side, envelops the player with the ball in their arms, thrusts their hips, loses their own weight and collapses directly onto the opponent’s lower body.
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense lost both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to injury on Monday night (
Getty Images)
Such a move seems to perfectly characterise Smith’s tackle on Godwin, though there was reportedly no malicious intent from the Ravens linebacker.
It’s tricky for refs to catch every detail during lively matches and despite reviewing these moves, officials haven’t yet flagged anyone this season. After filtering through the plays, only seven resulted in fines.
Tampa Bay star Godwin is bracing for surgical intervention on his dislocated ankle and, even with an optimistic forecast of being fit for the 2025 NFL season kick-off, his stint at Tampa Bay remains uncertain; Godwin’s contract is up making him a free agent post-recovery, potentially marking a somber closure to his Buccaneers career that saw him clinch a Super Bowl victory since being a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Godwin’s injury prompted questions about why he was still in the game (
No credit)
In response to some flak for not pulling his top talent when the Bucs were down 10 points with only about a minute left on the clock, Bucs coach Todd Bowles expressed his distress over the injury and stated: “Our prayers go out to him. Chris is a hell of a player and a hell of a human being. Not much you can say.”
“You feel bad for him, and unfortunately, they’re not going to cancel the games. We got to step up and move on. But our hearts are heavy.”
Before his injury, Godwin had made an impressive seven receptions for 65 yards. Throughout seven games this season, he’s been a standout with a league-leading 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns, forming a formidable duo with Mike Evans – who also had to leave the game early due to injury.
The 4-3 Buccaneers, riddled with injuries, are gearing up for a pivotal NFC South clash against the equally matched 4-3 Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium, set for Sunday, Oct. 27.