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Tony Pollard’s injury during the divisional rounds of the playoffs could trigger a rule change this offseason. The NFL’s competition committee is expected to discuss how 49ers safety Jimmy Ward’s “hip drop” tackle to Pollard will work when it happens this offseason. Washington Post.
The play left Pollard suffering a fractured fibula and a sprained ankle. He underwent surgery shortly after the Cowboys’ season-ending loss.
Pollard’s injury came a day after Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a sprained ankle after being tackled in a similar manner. He was free from a season-ending injury and was a full practice participant for Sunday’s rematch of the AFC title game against Cincinnati.
In recent years, the NFL and its governing bodies have sought ways to better protect their players. The league has banned collar tackles on horses and is focused on eliminating blows that cause head injuries. But the rules made things harder for defensemen who had to relearn how to tackle while playing within the league’s new boundaries.
While player safety is a top priority, the league also wants to ensure that the league’s top players can participate in high-profile playoff games. Given the physical nature of football, coupled with the ordeal of a 17-game regular season and extended postseason, already too often no one wants to see a match between backup players.
To create or adjust a new rule, it must be passed by the league’s 32 owners. If presented by the competition committee, 24 owners would have to vote in favor of a rule adjustment regarding tackles like the one that ended Pollard’s 2022 season.
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