AP Photo/David Becker
The Las Vegas Raiders running back called for the league to review its rules on tackling after he reportedly suffered a season-ending injury in Sunday's 17-15 loss to the Washington Football Team.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Drake broke his ankle on the play.
This specific style of tackling needs to be looked at by the #NFL. They are throwing flags for taunting and protecting qbs from getting touched but this is my 2nd season being injured by a guy pulling me back and using his body weight to roll up my legs. The league would rather flag players for taunting than lose players to high ankle sprains and broken bones. Let's get the priorities in order.
The National Football League moved to penalize horse-collar tackles in 2005 because multiple players were injured from that style of tackling in the preceding season. If more players agree with Drake's sentiment, a similar step will be forthcoming.
He suffered a high ankle injury in the 2020 season. He only missed one game.
His frustration Sunday was understandable.
When the NFL made efforts to limit and penalize helmet-to-helmet contact, some feared that defenders would begin targeting offensive players below the waist instead. That would increase the number of ankle and knee injuries.
In 2015, Rob Gronkowski stated that he would rather have a concussion than have a knee injury. He blew out his knee because of the shorter recovery time for a concussion and the possible long-term consequences to his career.
Addressing injury data from a unique 2020 preseason, the NFL said how it was generally utilizing multi-year injury reduction strategies designed to reduce knee injuries, ankle injuries and soft-tissue strains.
The new rule that will be in effect for the 2021 season will expand the zone in which players on both sides of the ball are not allowed to block below the waist.
Washington Football Team defensive tackle Daniel Wise didn't seem to be aiming for Drake's ankle, nor did his motion seem unnatural in bringing Drake to the turf.
If the competition committee wants to take Drake's suggestion on board, the play in question could be an example.
