The potential duration of Salvon Ahmed’s time with the Indianapolis Colts is now uncertain.
This uncertainty stems from an occurrence during a training session involving what is being described as a hip-drop tackle by a fellow player.
Ahmed sustained the injury on the prior Sunday. Individuals present at the event have reported that Ahmed was executing a lengthy run during a simulated game situation, involving 11 players on each side, where physical contact was permitted. Reports indicate that Trey Washington, a safety who was not drafted, pursued Ahmed and brought him down using a maneuver that is considered an illegal hip-drop tackle.
Per observations from James Boyd of The Athletic, “Ahmed immediately clutched his lower right leg and voiced his pain audibly” following the tackle. Stephen Holder of ESPN indicates that Ahmed’s right ankle was “caught in an unnatural position.”
The training session was halted, and medical personnel assisted Ahmed off the playing field on a stretcher. Ahmed was then taken to a nearby medical facility for radiographic imaging. The specific details of Ahmed’s physical issue were not immediately available. However, head coach Shane Steichen communicated to reporters that Ahmed experienced a “significant leg injury.”
Indianapolis Colts running back Salvon Ahmed suffered a “severe leg injury” at training Sunday, according to head coach Shane Steichen.
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Restrictions on Hip-Drop Tackles During Matches
The NFL made a decision to prohibit the hip-drop tackle before the commencement of the 2024 season through a collective agreement among the team owners. Jeff Miller, who holds a position as the executive vice president within the NFL’s competition committee, mentioned before the vote that this particular method “is associated with an injury rate roughly 25 times higher than that of a standard tackle.”
According to the NFL’s official regulations, a hip-drop tackle is defined as an action where a defending player:
(a) takes hold of the ball carrier by using their hands or arms; and (b) reduces their own weight by turning and lowering their hips and/or the lower part of their body, which results in the defender landing on, or causing the runner’s legs to be trapped, at or below knee level.”
Steichen characterized the event that led to Ahmed’s injury as a hip-drop tackle and conveyed that Washington felt “despondent” as a consequence of the incident.
“It’s something we never wish to witness,” Steichen commented to the media, as reported by ESPN. “I am aware that we do not promote hip-drop tackles.
“I am aware that Trey is upset about it, and I don’t believe he intended for it to happen. Our intention is to establish a competitive advantage. … Those who are in supporting roles will be expected to execute tackles during the preseason games.”
Ahmed, who is 26 years old, is entering his fifth year in the NFL. He spent his initial four seasons competing for the Miami Dolphins, fulfilling a role as a backup where he achieved an average of 4.3 yards each time he carried the ball. Across 38 game appearances, he accumulated 867 yards from scrimmage and scored six touchdowns.
Ahmed formalized his agreement with the Colts during the current offseason, agreeing to a contract extending for one year with a value of $1.17 million. Washington joined the Colts this offseason, following a four-year period as a starting player at Mississippi.
Zaire Franklin, a seasoned linebacker for the Colts, voiced his support for both Washington and Ahmed in remarks made to The Athletic after Ahmed’s injury on Sunday.
“Trey is a young individual who is striving to secure a position on the team, without a doubt,” Franklin stated. “As a result, he is actively participating and aiming to enhance his skills. We embody a warrior mentality when we are on the field. We are conscious of the inherent risks involved as soon as we step onto the field.”
“Of course, we function as a cohesive unit. We have no intention of causing harm to one another. At the same time, we are engaged in a competitive environment. These individuals are endeavoring to provide for their families. This is an inherent aspect of the sport. However, it unquestionably presents a challenging scenario for Salvon, and we are undoubtedly extending our prayers in his favor.”
