Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu has successfully appealed his one-game suspension for a third violation of the hip-drop tackle technique, resulting in the penalty being reduced to a $100,000 fine.
The NFL initially imposed the one-game ban following a tackle in a game on November 2, 2025, against the Seattle Seahawks. The appeal was heard by Derrick Brooks, a hearing officer jointly appointed by the league and the players” union, who concluded that Luvu could participate in the upcoming game against the Detroit Lions.
The incident that led to the suspension occurred during the first quarter of the Commanders” 38-14 loss to the Seahawks. Luvu was penalized for bringing down wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the open field while multiple defenders were closing in.
According to the NFL rulebook, specifically Rule 12, Section 2, Article 18 (a)(b), a foul is called if a player uses a particular technique to tackle a runner by grabbing them with one or both hands and then dropping their hips or lower body to land on or trap the runner”s legs at or below the knee.
This is not the first instance of Luvu facing disciplinary action for similar tackles; he had previously received fines for hip-drop tackles in Weeks 4 and 8 of the current season. Now in his eighth year in the league at age 29, Luvu ranks third on the Commanders” roster with 50 tackles this season, along with one forced fumble, two passes defended, and two sacks.
