The NFL made a rule to protect players by penalizing defenders for using the hip-drop tackle technique in the open field.
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon felt like officials missed that during the third quarter of Sunday night’s game.
Mixon tried to push out of bounds after hauling in a pass from C.J. Stroud in the closing seconds of the third quarter, but Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards came in with the stop. When looking at the initial film, Edwards drops his weight to make Mixon collapse under the pressure.
Mixon tweeted out his frustration and clarified he reached out to officials for a further response, but they didn’t think it was enough to call a penalty.
When I got up I asked the ref where is the flag that was a hip tackle. & his reply was no it wasn’t 🤦🏽♂️ https://t.co/A5fWjguzGH
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) September 16, 2024
The 2021 Pro Bowl was listed as questionable with an ankle injury and entered the medical blue tent. He then left the field to head back to the locker room for further evaluation. And while Mixon did return, it was only for seven plays in the final three series.
Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) is questionable to return vs the Bears.
Here's the play he was injured on. pic.twitter.com/qWfK6gZ83K
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) September 16, 2024
“Joe got rolled up,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “The guy’s weight definitely came down on his ankle. It didn’t look good from my view. We’ll evaluate Joe throughout the week. Hopefully, he’s OK. I’ll have to see the film to see if it really was a hip-drop tackle.”
While the Texans secured a 19-13 victory, penalties — both called and uncalled — were a problem. Houston committed 12 penalties for 115 yards while Chicago was flagged nine times for 60 yards.
But the referees also missed plays beyond Mixon’s hip-drop offense. Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair threw a punch at Bears running back Roschon Johnson, though remained in the game despite NFL rules stating a player should be ejected once a physical altercation is present.
— wow that was crazy (@CowardlyDoggo) September 16, 2024
This isn’t the first time referees have been coy letting potential hip-drop tackles be ignored. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen thought Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei’Trel Clark delivered one last week and argued with the officials after the play.
Just before kickoff in Houston, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase argued with officials after Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie made an open-field tackle. He ended up getting a 15-yard penalty and clearly was upset that a hip drop penalty wasn’t called.
Mixon’s departure didn’t hurt the Texans’ outcome, but it kept things interesting over the final 15 minutes. Houston needs Mixon as its lead back entering Week 3’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, so his status is crucial to keeping the team afloat.
