Roquan Smith, a linebacker for the Ravens, was fined for allegedly hip-dropping Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin during Monday night’s game, which caused Godwin to sustain a serious ankle injury that most likely ended his season. On Friday, a source confirmed the $16,833 fine to The Baltimore Sun. Following notice from the NFL, Smith has three days to contest the fine. A hearing will then be held, and one of the league’s appeals officers—Derick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae, or Jordy Nelson—will hear the case.
“It is fine-tuning to determine those things,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who was reluctant to call the tackle a hip-drop. Ro’s fighting to make a tackle, and he would never do anything to hurt anyone.” The hip-drop tackle was banned in March, but despite no flags for it this season, Smith is at least the eighth player fined for it.
Smith acknowledged the physical nature of the game, saying he never intends to injure anyone. Godwin, who dislocated his ankle on the play, underwent surgery and expressed his emotional struggle on Instagram, stating, “Adversity reveals our true character.”
After the game, Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles defended keeping Godwin in despite the score, citing their need for players with injuries to other receivers. Smith was previously fined this season for unnecessary roughness but won his appeal. Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton expressed belief that Smith had no malicious intent, emphasizing that it was a regular tackle gone wrong.