Broncos' J.K. Dobbins Criticizes Referees Over Missed Hip-Drop Tackle Call
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins publicly criticized the officiating crew after suffering an injury during Thursday night's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The injury occurred when Dobbins was brought down by Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson in what appeared to be a hip-drop tackle — a move the NFL has recently targeted for stricter enforcement due to its high risk of injury.
The incident happened in the third quarter, when Dobbins was tackled awkwardly and was slow to get up. He limped to the sideline but later returned to play during the next possession. However, reports suggest he may have sustained an injury that could potentially sideline him for upcoming games.
“There’s no reason plays like that should go uncalled. It’s dangerous, and players need better protection,” Dobbins shared on social media.
His comments reignited debate about how consistently referees are identifying and penalizing hip-drop tackles. The NFL’s commitment to punishing such hits has been questioned following this missed call.
After Dobbins' post, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero provided an update on the veteran running back’s status, noting the team is assessing the extent of his injury.
Author’s Summary
J.K. Dobbins condemned NFL referees for overlooking a dangerous hip-drop tackle by Tyree Wilson that left him injured, reigniting debate about player safety enforcement.