The NFL has reportedly rescinded the fine imposed on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith last month for his tackle on Chris Godwin, which dislocated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver’s ankle.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Smith appealed the $16,833 fine and Jordy Nelson, one of the NFL’s four appeals officials, ruled in his favor.
The tackle that ended Godwin’s season was investigated by the league because it was of the hip-drop variety, which was banned in the offseason.
NFL rules state that in a hip-drop tackle, a player must grab the runner with both hands or wrap the runner with both arms; and must unload himself by rotating his hips and/or lower body and dropping, landing on and holding the runner’s leg. (s) at or below the knee.”
Godwin was injured in the final minute of their Week 7 game. Smith and another Ravens defender ran at Godwin, who tried to take the first down, and it was Smith who ultimately dropped Godwin to the ground.
After the game it was immediately clear that Godwin was in a lot of pain, and he was eventually carted off the field.
Godwin, a potential free agent in 2025, underwent ankle surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.
Smith was fined a few days later when the league determined it was a hip drop, despite not being flagged in the game.
This is the second time this season that Smith appealed a fine and won. He was fined $16,833 for a horse tackle during the opening game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but that fine was later rescinded.
