NFL announces final decision on punishment of Commanders star after he appealed ban and $500k fine
The NFL will not suspend Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu over repeated violations of the league’s rule against the hip-drop tackle.
Luvu appealed a ruling that led to ‘The Shield’ handing down a one-game suspension and a fine amounting to a game check worth $508,333.
But after an appeal, heard by former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks, Luvu will instead only be fined $100,000 and will not miss any game time. Brooks was jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA.
Luvu is now clear to play on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
Before the 2024 season, the NFL instituted a ban on the ‘hip-drop’ tackle – a manouver where a defensive player would wrap their arms around a ball carrier, rotates their hips, leaves the ground, and then lands on top of the ball carrier’s legs.
This kind of tackle was found to have caused multiple serious leg injuries to ball carriers in the years leading up to its ban.
Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu won an appeal and won’t be suspended
Luvu had previously been fined twice this NFL season for the use of a ‘hip-drop’ tackle
If a player was found to have used a hip drop tackle, the NFL rule book calls for a 15-yard personal foul penalty and an automatic first down.
This was the third time that Luvu had been fined by the league for use of the hip-drop tackle – which led to him being the first player ever suspended by the league under the rule. However, with the appeal, this is no longer the case.
Luvu was fined over $23,000 following Week 4 for violating the rule. He then was fined again – this time, for over $46,000 – after Week 8.
Per an NFL news release, Luvu violated the rule which was created to ‘protect the health and safety of players.’
Keeping Luvu around is a crucial move – considering the myriad of injuries the Commanders have suffered on the defensive side of the ball.
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore suffered a season-ending injury against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Additionally, starters Deatrich Wise Jr, Dorance Armstrong, and Will Harris are all on injured reserve.
