Tony Pollard Rule? NFL Owners, Cowboys' Jerry Jones Ban Hip Drop Tackle

Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones and the NFL Owners voted to ban the hip drop tackle.

Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) is helped off the field after an injury. / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

FRISCO - This week's Annual League Meeting had a full slate of proposed rule changes for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the other NFL owners to vote on. In a controversial and unanimous decision, the owners voted that the hip-drop tackle is now officially banned.

The rule change adds another potential penalty for defenders. However, ideally it makes the game safer. NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said the technique has a 20-25 times injury rate. 

Former Cowboys running back Tony Pollard is a prime example. Pollard, who recently signed with the Tennessee Titans, was injured in the January 2023 NFC Divisional playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers because of a hip-drop tackle. He was carted off the field and suffered a fractured fibula and high ankle sprain.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders / Rob Carr/GettyImages

Officially from the NFL, it is a foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground:

(a) grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and

(b) unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner's leg(s) at or below the knee.

Penalty: For a Hip-Drop Tackle: Loss of 15 yards and an automatic first down.

In total, the NFL's competition committee is presenting six rule changes and NFL franchises are presenting four changes at the meetings, which take place March 24-27.

Meanwhile ... Dallas is focused on the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit. With a first-round draft selection in their pocket, the Cowboys are scouting and interviewing prospects, with an eye on improving a few key position groups. Big areas of need for the Cowboys include offensive line and running back. Over the first few weeks of NFL free agency, the Cowboys' lack of action has left many scratching their heads.

After Jones promised to go "all-in" earlier in the offseason, the Cowboys have been the quietest team in free agency so far. Dallas was the only team with zero movement on day one of free agency. The only outside free agent they've signed is linebacker Eric Kendricks, and their re-signings have been relatively low-key as well.