Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson injured on hip-drop tackle vs. Chargers: How did players react?

Publish date: 2024-04-16

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson was ruled out against the Los Angeles Chargers after suffering an ankle injury in the first quarter Sunday. The injury occurred on a “hip-drop” tackle, a controversial action the league is considering banning.

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Initial X-rays on Stevenson were negative, league sources said, but the belief is that an MRI will show a sprain. Subsequent tests will paint a clearer picture of the situation, but the initial belief is Stevenson will miss time — possibly multiple games — the sources said.

While the NFL is working on clearly defining what a hip-drop tackle is to better officiate it, the league has three elements it typically associates with the action: the tackler unweighing his legs or dropping his weight, a pivot or swivel by the tackler and landing on the ball carrier’s legs.

Stevenson’s legs were caught awkwardly under him on the play as Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu landed on the tailback’s lower right leg. Stevenson fumbled and the Chargers recovered the ball.

The NFL is still in the early stages of gathering data, but it has found that these types of tackles have 25 times more likelihood of injuring a player than other tackles, The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen reported this week. They can end in significant lower-body issues like knee injuries, high ankle sprains, and, in some cases, fractures.

Patriots center David Andrews and safety Jabrill Peppers were each reluctant to place any blame on the tackle following New England’s 6-0 loss.

“It’s the defense’s job to tackle guys,” Andrews said, adding: “I don’t think (defenders) are doing it with malicious intent.”

Added Peppers: “It’s football. However you can get a guy on the ground that’s legal, you do it.”

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(Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today)

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