NFL to have 'very active offseason conversation' about banning type of tackle

On-the-field life may soon get even more difficult for NFL defensive players. 

As shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills confirmed on Friday that the league will have "a very active offseason conversation" regarding "the mechanism" of so-called "hip drop" tackles. 

"Obviously the 'hip drop' tackle is not the only cause of high-ankle sprains," Sills said. "There are certainly other factors." 

Shortly after "hip drop" tackles resulted in Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffering lower-body injuries during the playoffs, it was reported that the league's competition committee could explore a new rule this offseason. Pollard underwent surgery to repair ligaments in his ankle last month, while Mahomes is still dealing with a high-ankle sprain heading into the Super Bowl LVII matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

"We have noted that type of tackle that you mentioned," Sills added. "And I think it needs to be a very active discussion point, again, with the competition committee and others this season." 

According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN, Sills also said that instances of players suffering "injuries to the lower extremities fell by 14%" this season. 

Similar to how the NFL worked to eliminate horse-collar tackles, the National Rugby League in Australia banned "hip drop" tackles because of injuries linked with such plays. To their credit, NFL defensive players have always adjusted to previous rule changes that favored ball-carriers and wide receivers. 

However, the NFL has been widely criticized since this past fall for its enforcement of roughing the passer and for allegedly allowing offensive linemen to hold top-tier pass-rushers. Nevertheless, defensive players probably should get ahead of things now and prepare themselves to remove the "hip drop" from their repertoire.