Miami Dolphins defense end William Hayes was making a routine tackle on Derek Carr yesterday in their games versus the Oakland Raiders. As a result of what many defense players have been up in arms with regards to the new body weight rule the NFL is attempting to enforce Hayes was injured.
According to ESPN, head coach of the Dolphins Adam Gase explained that Hayes hurt himself trying to tackle Carr without putting his body ob him and his right foot got stuck in the ground forcing his leg to move in an unusual way.
“He was trying to not put body weight on the quarterback,” Gase said. “His foot got caught in the ground.”
Outspoken cornerback, Richard Sherman definitely used the opportunity to highlight that the rule only benefits the quarterback and the league isn’t concerned with safety of other position players.
They don’t care about the rest of us getting hurt. Long as the QB is safe https://t.co/ihjlz3lVQl
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 24, 2018
Clay Matthews is also another defensive player who has been penalized in consecutive weeks for the same penalty that Hayes tried to avoid and will now cost him the season. The body weight rule has been made a point of emphasis this season. The rule says that a roughing the passer 15 yard penatly will be levied on any defender who tackles the quarterback and puts his body weight on the quarterback to finish the tackle. Defensive players have complained that it’s almost impossible for them to stop their momentum when tackling the quarterback and the rule is not allowing them to make tackles on the quarterback without facing possible penalties.
The rule could lead to many defenders becoming reckless and actually looking to get their money’s worth for the penalty and/or avoid injury like Hayes. We Will see if the NFL will make changes to the rule aas it has become extremely controversial this season.
Flip the page to take a look at the tackle that ended Hayes season.