Joe Mixon accuses the NFL of not enforcing the ban on hip-drop tackles

HOUSTON – Texans running back Joe Mixon took to social media to accuse the NFL of failing to enforce its own rules after he injured his ankle on what he believed was an illegal hip-drop tackle during Houston’s 19-13 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.

With 11:57 left in the third quarter, Texans quarterback CJ Stroud completed a pass to Mixon, who was running down the sideline before being brought down by Bears linebacker TJ Edwards with what appears to be a now-illegal swivel hip-drop tackle.

The referees did not penalize Edwards as Mixon got up with a limp and hobbled to the sideline before entering the blue medical tent. He went to the locker room for further treatment on his ankle before re-entering the game with 50 seconds left in the third quarter.

Mixon played just seven snaps after his return and managed just one run for 1 yard before being tackled again by Edwards. He finished the night with 9 runs for 25 yards.

Mixon did not speak to reporters after the game, but made his feelings clear in consecutive posts on X.

“The NFL and NFLPA made it a rule and a focus for a reason,” Mixon wrote shortly after the game ended. “It’s time to follow up with action.”

The NFL and NFLPA made this a rule and a focus for a reason. It’s time to put your money where your mouth is.

— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) 16 September 2024

In a follow-up post, Mixon said that when he stood up, he asked the referee, “Where’s the flag? That was a hip tackle,” to which the ref replied, “No, it wasn’t.”

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the play that injured Mixon’s ankle “didn’t look good” from his perspective, but he would have to look at the footage to decide if it was a hip-drop tackle.

“Joe was twisted. The guy’s weight was definitely on his ankle,” Ryans said. “We’ll check Joe over the course of the week. Hopefully he’s OK.”

The league approved a proposed rule in March that would ban the swivel hip drop tackle, a rugby tackling technique that has resulted in lower leg injuries in recent years. According to NFL vice president Jeff Miller, there were 230 plays last year in which the hip drop was used to bring down a ball carrier, resulting in 15 sacks.

The violation would have resulted in a 15-yard penalty had it been called as a result of Edwards’ tackle on Mixon.

In another game on Sunday, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase got into a heated exchange with a referee in Kansas City after he was brought down by what Chase believed was an uncalled hip-drop tackle.