NFL ready to make TWO big rule changes as commissioner Roger Goodell insists hip-drop tackles could soon be banned... plus one of the most controversial rules in the sport could also be scrapped for 2024

The NFL is preparing to make two major rule changes this offseason according to commissioner Rodger Goodell and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Goodell told reporters that the league is ready to ban hip-drop tackles, which have caused several notable injuries to major stars in recent seasons. 

'We all should work to get that out of the game,' said Goodell. 'You see it escalated the number of times it occurred this season. The [potential] injury can be very devastating. We saw that also.'

'It's not just happening at the NFL level. It's happening at other levels. It's something that I feel we've got to work very hard to get that removed this spring.' 

Vincent echoed similar sentiments when he said 'We have to now... It's a gruesome play.'

Baltimore Ravens three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews suffered a season ending ankle injury earlier this year after being on the receiving end of a hip-drop tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals, while Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard suffered a broken leg last season due to such a tackle.

A hip-drop tackle occurs when a defender pulls down a ball carrier by their upper body, while also dropping all of his weight on the offensive players legs to bring them to the ground. 

Having that amount of body weight falling onto an offensive player's legs tends to cause the player's legs to be trapped at awkward angles, often leading to serious injuries.

Hip-drop tackles have become more prominent in the NFL recently due to the league changing tackling rules in an effort to curb head injuries.

These tackles have led to a 25 times higher injury rate than other tackles according to league officials.

Vincent also went on to mention that the league is looking into eliminating the rule that considers fumbles that go out of the end-zone as touchbacks and awards the ball to the defense.

The rule has been considered controversial due to the fact that a fumble that goes out of bounds anywhere else remains in the offense's possession. 

One example of the play that drew loads of attention this season was in Week 2 when the Minnesota Vikings faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson lost control of the ball just before he crossed into the endzone, and the ball went out of play after it crossed the pylon. Philadelphia was award possession and went on to win the game after the call.

Another well-known example took place in 2017 apparent an touchdown from New York Jets tight end Austin Sefarian-Jenkins was changed into a fumble into the end zone and a turnover.

Following the overturned called the New England Patriots would go on to win the game.