The terrible injury suffered by New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo could have easily been flagged, as the hip-drop tackle that caused it is not allowed. Yet in this case, no penalty was called.
The NFL is well aware that this type of tackle can cause serious injuries to players on the receiving end, but on this occasion, the referees did nothing to sanction the defender whose movement left the Giants’ player badly hurt.
Very few penalties of this kind have been issued in the league, despite repeated warnings about its dangers.
What is the hip-drop tackle that injured Cam Skattebo?
It is a maneuver in which the defender, while wrapping up the opponent, deliberately drops his body weight onto the ball carrier by falling to the ground, often trapping or twisting the opponent’s lower body in the process. The technique is meant to overpower the offensive player but it frequently results in severe leg or ankle injuries.
In the play that injured Cam Skattebo, it appeared the defender executed precisely that move. Unfortunately, the officials either failed to notice or chose to ignore a tactic that has already sidelined numerous players across the league.
Players themselves recognize that this particular tackle is rarely penalized, which is why many continue to use it. Although it is not a common move, defenders still rely on it when desperate to bring opponents down, knowing that it’s seldom called.
This type of tackle is extremely dangerous for whoever suffers it. As seen with Skattebo, it can easily destroy ligaments or fracture bones in the lower extremities, leaving the injured player out for months.
Recovery time for Cam Skattebo
The exact recovery time for Cam Skattebo has yet to be determined. He remains under medical evaluation, and the team has not disclosed the full extent of his injury. However, based on the images and reactions on the field, it seems highly likely that he will miss the rest of the season.
It’s a devastating loss for the Giants, who had recently developed a promising offensive pairing between quarterback Jaxson Dart and Skattebo.
At the start of the matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, New York seemed capable of putting up a serious fight. But after this unfortunate incident, the game became significantly more difficult for them.
The Giants continue to struggle with consistency this season. They currently sit at the bottom of the NFC East standings, and given their mounting problems, it appears they will remain there for quite some time.
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