Cincinnati Bengals: Logan Wilson receives 'Reckless Criticism' for Hip-Drop Tackles

Logan Wilson has experienced some heavy criticism following a series of questionable tackles in the Thursday Night game against the Baltimore Ravens.

After Logan Wilson tackled Mark Andrews just short of the goal line early in the first half against the Baltimore Ravens, it has been revealed that Mark Andrews will not return this season due to a high ankle injury. “I think it’s a form of a high ankle [injury] but more than just a sprain.” Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh stated after the game.

Logan Wilson also injured quarterback Lamar Jackson and wide receiver Odell Beckham junior with similar tackles.  He was not penalized for any of the three tackles due to an ongoing conversation in the league that the tackle should be banned.  The tackle consists of a wrestling-style tackle where the defender grabs the defender by the waist as they run and roll their weight down onto the defenders knees and ankles.

The NFL owners voted on whether or not the ban the hip-drop tackle following the season-ending ACL injury of Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard last season but decided against the ban.  The NFL Players Association is also against a ban due to a lack of ability to differentiate or enforce due to the subjective nature of such a tackle.

Zac Taylor vehemently defended Wilson and cited that he has received “reckless criticism” following the game.  “Logan is everything we want to be about, in the way he plays the game. He plays with a toughness and a physicality that is important to that position. It’s kind of been brought to my attention the narrative that’s out there right now, which I think is completely reckless. He plays the game the right way, and I think people have gotten ahead of themselves, labeling him a certain way, and it’s frustrating to see that because I know what he’s about and he plays the game the right way. It’s unfortunate when a player gets injured. But he’s a guy I’m very proud to coach, I’m proud to have as part of this team, but frustrating and a little bit maddening when you see the narrative that started running loose on him because that’s not the case at all.”

Current speculation is that the league will once again deliberate following the season as to whether or not to ban the tackle.