The NFL has reportedly fined Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith $16,833 for his tackle on Chris Godwin, which dislocated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver’s ankle, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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.
Godwin was injured in the final minute of Monday night’s game, which the Ravens won 41-31. Smith and another Ravens defender ran toward Godwin, who tried to take him down first, 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 is having surgery this week and will miss the rest of the season.
The NFL determined this week that the tackle was a hip drop, the ninth time this type of tackle has been made this season. As Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports noted, there have been no flags for hip-drop tackles this season.
If it had been identified on the field as a hip-drop tackle, the Ravens would have been assessed a 15-yard penalty, and the Bucs would have been awarded an automatic first down.
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon missed three weeks after injuring his ankle following a hip-drop tackle. That play was not flagged during the game, but Chicago Bears linebacker TJ Edwards was fined $16,833 by the league.
Godwin ‘frustrated’, Smith sends best wishes to Bucs WR
Godwin posted on Instagram this week, speaking about the emotions of experiencing the injury and knowing he won’t be back until next season.
Chris Godwin posted this message on Instagram this morning, thanking fans for their support following his ankle injury on Monday night. “Adversity reveals our true character.” pic.twitter.com/H0mfMs2bdm
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 25, 2024
Asked Thursday about the tackle that injured Godwin, Smith said he hopes for a “speedy recovery” and wants the receiver “back home safe and sound.”
“First and foremost, send prayers and a speedy recovery to Chris,” Smith said. “I have a lot of respect for him as a player, for what he has achieved in this league, and from what little I have seen of him, he seems like a really good guy, and from what I have heard, a good family man.
“You never want to see someone go down with any kind of injury, but we play a very physical game and it takes a lot out of you. Bullets fly pretty fast, but I never go into a match with the intention of injuring a player. every match player wants to return home safe and sound to his family, maybe a little painful, but I absolutely want you to return home safe and sound.”