NFL safety escapes fine for tackle that caused gruesome injury to Chiefs star
NFL safety escapes fine for tackle that caused gruesome injury to Chiefs star
Sian JonesMon, October 12, 2026 at 12:10 PM UTC
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The NFL has decided against fining Treydan Stukes for the tackle on Tyquan Thornton -Credit:AP Photo/John Locher (AP Photo/John Locher)Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes has escaped a fine for a hip-drop tackle that caused a gruesome injury to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton
The NFL has decided against fining Treydan Stukes for the tackle that left Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton with a serious ankle injury.
The Las Vegas Raiders safety chased Thornton down and brought him to the ground from behind at the five-yard line during last week's Sunday Night Football clash. Thornton initially jumped to his feet to celebrate, only to realize his left ankle had suffered a gruesome injury, with his foot pointing in the wrong direction.
The Chiefs star was subsequently carted off the field as his distressed teammates looked on. The incident sparked debate among fans, with many believing Stukes' tackle was an example of the hip-drop technique the NFL has sought to outlaw due to the risk of injury.
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However, league officials reviewed the play and determined that it did not warrant punishment, meaning Stukes will escape a fine despite the severity of Thornton's injury.
The NFL defines a hip-drop tackle as one in which a defender wraps up a ball carrier, rotates or swivels his hips, then drops onto the runner's legs during the tackle.
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However, when the rule was introduced, NFL competition committee chairman Rick McKay clarified that the technique was not banned outright. Instead, the rule targets tackles in which a defender rotates or swivels his hips before dropping onto the ball carrier's legs.
Officials assessing potential violations are instructed to determine whether a defender grabs the runner with both hands or wraps them with both arms before unweighting himself, swiveling his hips, and dropping onto the runner's legs at or below the knees to trap them.
Many observers believed Stukes' tackle met those criteria, expressing disbelief after learning the Raiders safety would escape a fine.
"Get rid of the rule then, because obviously the league is dumb this year. Fining players for celebrations like it’s nothing, but allowing this to go with nothing is absurd," said one fan on X.
Another fan added: "I love how the league emphasizes a new rule year after year and then completely lets it go by the wayside the year after they tried to emphasize it."
Thornton is expected to be sidelined for 12 to 16 weeks after undergoing surgery for a fracture-dislocation of his left ankle, but the Chiefs wide receiver struck an optimistic tone in a recent social media post.
Thornton struck an optimistic note on Instagram, writing: "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step!"
He also praised his teammates on X, posting: "Love this team! 4-0 baby! I'll be back stronger & better #ChiefsKingdom."
Source: “AOL Sports”
