Giants Player Fined for Tackle that Injured Jordan Addison

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Jordan Addison
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings already know that they will be without Jordan Addison on Sunday vs the San Francisco 49ers, due to another ankle sprain. While it won’t put the sophomore standout back on the field, the Vikings can take some solace (probably not) in knowing the NFL reprimanded the New York Giants player who caused the injury.

Tackle against Vikings Jordan Addison a point of emphasis

Jordan Addison came into Week 1 with a left ankle issue, stemming from a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns. After a couple of weeks off, Addison was able to get back on the field for the Vikings’ 2024 opener.

But then, Darius Muasau chased the Minnesota wide receiver down and tackled him from behind with what the NFL has deemed an illegal “hip-drop” tackle, causing him to sprain his previously non-injured (right) ankle. Mausau’s fine fine is minimal (under $5,000), as the NFL tries to follow through on this new point of emphasis.

This offseason, the NFL defined the hip drop tackle and outlined why they want to remove it from the game. As you can see, it causes a lot of lower leg injuries.

“Grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms and Unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner’s leg(s) at or below the knee.“

Definition of the hip drop tackle (NFL)

Related: Minnesota Vikings Activate Two Practice Squad Players for Week 2

It seemed like this would be a difficult play to enforce. The NFL said that fines would be the primary result of breaking this new rule, which explains this fine.

Next man up for Minnesota Vikings

Addison’s absence from the lineup for the Minnesota Vikings means that Jalen Nailor will need to step up. Sam Darnold is without his second best pass-catching option. The Vikings were without Justin Jefferson against the San Francisco 49ers, last year, and still emerged victorious. That was, in no small part, thanks to a Jordan Addison coming out party.

In Jordan’s absence, Jalen Nailor has a golden opportunity to shine vs the Niners. He was on the receiving end of a 21-yard touchdown against the Giants, after Addison suffered his injury.

The moneyline on this game has moved significantly since it was announced Christian McCaffrey won’t play. They are still sizable underdogs and need everything to work in order to pull off the upset.

Related: Vikings Preparing Jalen Nailor for Bigger Role

The Minnesota Vikings need to get the most out of their makeshift wide receiver group on Sunday, in order to mitigate the absence of Addison. Getting a victory vs San Francisco would completely change the narrative on what this team could be, going forward.

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