John Harbaugh Condemns Hip-Drop Tackle That Caused Mark Andrews’s Ankle Injury

The Ravens coach was not happy with the tackle that ended his star tight end’s season on Thursday night.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh questioned why Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson used a hip-drop tackle on the play that seriously injured starting tight end Mark Andrews’s ankle on Thursday night.

“It was definitely a hip-drop tackle,” Harbaugh told reporters after the game. “It is being discussed. It’s a tough tackle. Was it even necessary in that situation?”

Andrews left the win over Cincinnati and did not return. Harbaugh said the ankle injury will likely end his season, but an MRI on Friday will confirm.

This ankle injury for #Ravens TE Mark Andrews is so unfortunate. Reminded me of #Cowboys Tony Pollard’s vs #49ers.

For now, the hip-drop tackle is legal. However, due to multiple ankle injuries that have occurred due to said tackle, many want it banned. It does feel like the… pic.twitter.com/bl5ae8eCfE

— Dominic White (@DomWWhite) November 17, 2023

The hip-drop tackle, as Harbaugh alluded to, is a play that is continuously brought up in the offseason as one that could be banned. However, the NFL Players Association has pushed back on a ban of the tackle in the past, noting that it would put defenders in a tough position when bringing down a ball carrier. 

Andrews was one of two significant injuries on Thursday night, as Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow left the game with a sprained right wrist. An MRI on Friday will confirm how much time he’ll miss as well.

Both teams are back in action on Sunday, Nov. 26, with the Ravens heading to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers, while the Bengals are set to host the Steelers in Cincinnati.