- Andrews’ season appears over after he was forced off in Thursday night’s game
- Wilson took the Ravens tight end down with a ‘hip-drop’ tackle in Baltimore
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has condemned Logan Wilson for putting Mark Andrews out for the season, questioning whether the Cincinnati Bengals linebacker’s tackle was ‘even necessary’.
Andrews was forced off early in the Ravens’ 34-20 win over the Bengals on Thursday night after being taken down with a ‘hip-drop’ tackle by Wilson on Baltimore’s opening drive.
As Wilson landed on the back of his legs, the tight end’s ankle could be seen bending at an awkward angle to leave him in visible pain, before he was tended to quickly by Ravens medical staff and taken out of the game.
Harbaugh told reporters after the game that Andrews’ ankle injury is a ‘serious’ one and is likely to end his season, with the player set to undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the full extent of the problem.
Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is likely out for the season after shipping a hip-drop tackle from Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson on Thursday night
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh has questioned whether Wilson’s tackle was ‘even necessary’
The Baltimore coach also took aim at Wilson over his hip-drop tackle, doubting whether he needed to make such a challenge.
‘It was definitely a hip-drop tackle, and it is being discussed,’ he said. ‘It’s a tough tackle. Was it even necessary in that situation?’
Three of Wilson’s nine tackles in the game led to Ravens players receiving treatment, with Lamar Jackson and Odell Beckham Jr also sent to the medical tent after colliding with the Cincinnati star.
Jackson was able to shake off the problem and continue in the game, but Beckham Jr was ruled questionable to return before appearing to wear a brace on his shoulder shortly afterwards.
When asked about the Wilson tackles which led to a trio of Ravens injuries on the night, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said: ‘I don’t know anything about that.’
Hip-drop tackles have been the subject of serious controversy in the NFL for quite some time, after Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes fell victim to one in the divisional round of last season’s NFL playoffs.
Andrews is set to undergo further examination after being taken off with an ankle injury
Mahomes picked up a high ankle sprain as a result of the tackle – which sees a defender grab the ball carrier from behind and pull him down while dropping to the ground – leading to calls for the league to outlaw the technique.
Before his night was ended early, Andrews had recorded two catches for 23 yards on the opening drive.
Coming into the game he had 45 receptions, 544 yards and six touchdowns, which led all TEs in the league.
