When it looked like the woes currently surrounding the Washington Commanders couldn't get worse, they threatened to. The league punished linebacker Frankie Luvu for his third hip-drop tackle of the campaign, suspending him for one contest without pay.
That was a topic of fierce debate among the fan base. They pointed to the countless missed calls on quarterback Jayden Daniels as a massive double standard. There are a plethora of other examples around the NFL, so why the league was intent on singling out Luvu is anyone's guess.
Thankfully, common sense prevailed. The Commanders appealed the decision, and Luvu will now be available this weekend against the Detroit Lions. He was fined $100,000, but that is far less than the $500,000 he would have sacrificed by missing the contest.
Frankie Luvu cannot let hip-drop saga impact his approach moving forward
Considering how depleted the Commanders are right now, not having Luvu would have been another hammer blow. Veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore and wide receiver Luke McCaffrey were the latest to go on the shelf this week. Daniels wasn't placed on injured reserve, but the chances of him suiting up anytime soon are remote.
Luvu will be in the line versus the Lions. He is firmly in dangerous territory, and the league will be watching his every move closely against an offense that demands a physical and explosive approach from start to finish.
The former Washington State standout cannot let this situation impact how he approaches every snap. Luvu's influence might have waned this season, as he has been deployed more as an edge rusher in recent weeks due to injuries, but he remains the beating heart of this defense. With several established figures struggling to meet expectations, the Commanders need his dynamism and fire to steer them through what looks to be an extremely tough challenge.
Another hip-drop tackle will see Luvu hit with an even bigger fine and a suspension that won't be overturned. The NFL is clearly cracking down after criticism that the ruling wasn't being enforced. However, it's not like the Commanders are going anywhere fast this season, so playing tentatively is not an option.
Luvu needs to play with freedom, aggression, and everything in between. If that results in another hip-drop tackle and a ban, it's not like the Commanders are in the playoff hunt, in any case. Just go about your business, and if the worst happens, at least the second-level presence can say he gave it everything.
The league is looking for an easy target. They may have found one in Luvu.