This offseason, the NFL is moving toward banning the “hip-drop” style of tackle, where a defender grabs a player from behind around the waist and falls down on their legs. And not only does Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones think this tackle will be banned before the start of next season, but he thinks it’s a necessary move for the game.
During a recent interview at the NFL’s annual league meetings over the weekend, Jerry Jones said that he “absolutely” expects the hip-drop tackle to be banned, and he thinks eliminating that play from the game would be a positive step for the NFL given that data indicates it’s a dangerous type of tackle.
“You can coach that one. In my mind, that’s one of the easier deals. It reminds me a little of [the] horse collar. That’s needed. That’s very needed. It’s very obvious that it’s injurious,” Jones said, according to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports.
The NFL is expected to approve a rule change that will prohibit the controversial style of tackle, penalizing the play with 15 yards and an automatic first down.
The league is expected to formally vote to eliminate the tackle this week, as early as Monday.
