NFL identifies missed hip-drop penalty on tackle of Aaron Rodgers
Browns defensive lineman Adin Huntington was fined for the Week 4 tackle, which the league used in an officiating video distributed to teams.
The NFL has told teams that a Week 4 tackle by Browns defensive lineman Adin Huntington on Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers met the criteria for an illegal hip-drop tackle, although officials did not throw a flag.
In an officiating video distributed to every team, NFL officiating and rules analyst Walt Anderson explained that the play showed all four required elements: wrapping the opponent, swiveling, unweighting and dropping onto or trapping the legs. Anderson said a hip-drop penalty was the appropriate call.
Anderson also said the league was working to communicate those criteria to players and officials. Such tackles can bring additional discipline, including fines, even when no penalty is assessed during the game. Huntington was fined.
The tackle occurred on third down, and Pittsburgh subsequently punted. A 15-yard penalty would have given the Steelers first-and-10 within long field goal range. Pittsburgh ultimately lost by three points.
