The NFL might be looking to make another key rule change for next season, and it seems like Miami Dolphins star safety Jevon Holland is not happy about it.
Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, revealed that the NFL will speak about banning hip-drop tackles, which were responsible for the postseason injuries to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard.
Upon reading the news about the possible elimination of that type of tackle, Holland offered up his reaction.
It’s getting outta hand now 😂😂😂 https://t.co/GrtAZeTl1e
— jev (@quickdrawjev) February 4, 2023
Sills spoke about the possible change earlier this week.
“I think it’ll be a very active offseason conversation, to look at the mechanism,” Sills said, according to Mark Maske of the Washington Post. “Obviously the ‘hip-drop’ tackle is not the only cause of high ankle sprains. There are certainly other factors.”
It’s clear that the league wants to continue to protect its players.
“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.”
Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain during his team’s playoff win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he toughed it out and finished the game.
The play where Patrick Mahomes injured his ankle pic.twitter.com/D1fABSL414
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 21, 2023
He then went on to play in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals and led the Chiefs to a thrilling 23-20 victory. Kansas City is now set to face Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl next week.
As for Pollard, he recently underwent surgery to repair ligaments from a high ankle sprain that he suffered against the San Francisco 49ers.
Dallas #Cowboys running back Tony Pollard was injured on this play.
We will update you as we know more about the injury. pic.twitter.com/NmUTmWyjr0
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 23, 2023
It seems like he’s expected to be ready for training camp, but the injury could hurt his value on the open market. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason after having a career year during the 2022 campaign with 1,007 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. He also added 371 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
His Cowboys were unable to get past the 49ers in their playoff matchup, and the 49ers then couldn’t get past injury troubles of their own against the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.
The Eagles and Chiefs will battle it out for the ultimate prize on Feb. 12. It’ll surely be a fascinating game, as they have been two of the top teams throughout the entire season.
Holland is surely hoping that he can help the Dolphins make it there next season after helping the franchise make it to the playoffs this season.
