In attempt to reduce major season-ending injuries to it’s team’s quarterbacks, the NFL implemented a rule this offseason outlawing defender landing on a QB with all or most of his bodyweight.
Just three weeks into the new season and there’s been a multitude of questionable penalties. Miami Dolphins DE William Hayes avoided one of those flags on his sack in his Week 3 win against the Raiders, but it came at a price.
An MRI confirmed Hayes tore his ACL while sacking Oakland QB Derek Carr Sunday, an injury he and head coach Adam Gase says occurred in trying to keep his feet on the ground during the tackle to avoid putting his body weight on Carr and receiving a penalty.
If this was William Hayes’ last play of the season because of the knee injury he suffered then he went out like the true warrior he is. I have so much respect for his game. He’s an old school football player. Not many left like him in the game today. pic.twitter.com/PhqetkD2AQ
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) September 24, 2018
#Dolphins coach Adam Gase says DE William Hayes, who has 2 sacks, is out for the season with a torn ACL. The injury occurred the he was trying to not put his bodyweight on the QB.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 24, 2018
The new rule has left many around the league scratching their heads on how a defender is to possibly tackle a quarterback while keeping bodyweight off him all while not being able to grab his legs, and this news won’t help the NFL’s cause.