Mark Andrews ruled out due to injury from dangerous, controversial hip-drop tackle

When the NFL reviews whether to eliminate the hip-drop tackle next offseason, the video of Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews’ injury will likely be shown.

In the first quarter on Thursday, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson subjected Andrews to a hip-drop tackle, causing his injury. This type of tackle previously resulted in a high ankle sprain for Patrick Mahomes last postseason, leading to discussions about whether it should be outlawed.

Near the end of the Ravens’ opening drive, Andrews was tackled near the goal line and then was writhing on the ground in obvious pain. He was ruled out before the first quarter was finished.

The hip-drop tackle, in which a defender uses their weight to pull an opponent down, often pinning the ballcarrier’s legs underneath, could potentially be banned by the NFL’s competition committee due to the evident danger and recent injuries resulting from it.

Andrews limped to the locker room and the Amazon Prime Video broadcast indicated that he was on crutches. Andrews is a key player in the Ravens’ passing game, having been selected to the Pro Bowl three times. Coming into Thursday’s game, he had accumulated 521 yards and six touchdowns.

It was a significant loss to see Andrews leave the field with a severe injury. It’s possible that by next season, we won’t witness the type of tackle that caused the injury.