NFL fines Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith Over $16,000 for hip-trap tackle in week 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, NFL Network announced Friday.
Godwin was forced off the field as a result of Smith’s tackle, and the receiver eventually dislocated his ankle, ending his 2024 season.
#Crows LB Roquan Smith was fined more than $16K for what the NFL determined was a hip-drop tackle that caused a dislocated ankle. #bucks WR Chris Godwin was placed on injured reserve. pic.twitter.com/S4YlZs1saF
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 25, 2024
Godwin suffered the injury with 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter after a 21-yard completion.
In March, NFL owners voted unanimously to eliminate the hip-drop tackle, which is “an act in which a defender wraps around a ball carrier, twists or turns his hips, drops his weight, and lands on the ball carrier’s feet.” .
A defender who executes a hip drop tackle will incur a 15-yard penalty. Smith was reportedly not penalized for the restricted entry in real time.
John Harbaugh was asked about Roquan Smith’s penalty for his season-ending tackle on Chris Godwin: “He would never do anything to hurt anybody.” pic.twitter.com/dQ2nHSybwN
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 25, 2024
Before the injury, Godwin recorded seven receptions for 65 yards and led the NFL with 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Smith finished with 18 combined tackles in the Ravens’ 41-31 victory. A two-time All-Pro, Smith recorded 74 combined tackles in his second full season with the Ravens and one forced fumble this season.
Baltimore has won five straight games following its 0-2 start, while Tampa Bay has lost three of its last five and is expected to be without star receiver Mike Evans for at least three weeks with a hamstring injury.
