The hip-drop tackle has become a major point of controversy this season after players like Mark Andrews and Odell Beckham have sustained injuries from them. The New England Patriots have now lost a player to this tackling technique after their starting running back went down in their week 13 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
New England Patriots Running Back injury designation
In the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers, New England Running Back Rhomandre Stevenson was injured after being victim to a hip-drop tackle by Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu. Stevenson required assistance coming off the field and headed directly to the locker room to conduct medical testing.
The Patriots announced that Stevenson’s return was questionable but declared him out at the start of the second half. Following Stevenson’s injury, the Patriots will turn to former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot. Stevens was on pace to finish the game with over 100 scrimmage yards and would have four games in a row with stat. He would have been the first patriot since Rhomandre Stevenson to have completed the feat.
Patriots injury update: RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and DB Shaun Wade (illness) have been downgraded to out. pic.twitter.com/hQ6bIVoH0v
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 3, 2023
Stevenson will finish the game with nine carries for 39 yards and one reception for no gain. No status has been announced yet regarding any long term injury designation.
Patriots Offensive Gameplan now
Stevenson has played a significant role in Bill Belicheck‘s smashmouth style offense since the arrival of quarterback Mac Jones. The offense will certainly struggle to provide mobility around the edge of the offensive formation without Stevenson as Ezekiel Elliot has turned into more of a between-the-tackles type of runner. The Patriots will hope to get Stevenson back as soon as possible.