Finally, some good news for the Washington Commanders.
On November 4, NFL All-Pro linebacker Frankie Luvu found out his 1-game suspension for repeated violations of the league’s ban on hip-drop tackles had been turned into a $100,000 fine after Luvu’s appeal.
Luvu’s violation that led to his suspension came in a 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9.
“Upon appeal, the NFL has reduced Commanders LB Frankie Luvu‘s one-game suspension to a $100,000 fine,” Yahoo Sports posted on its official account. “Luvu was originally suspended due to repeated hip drop tackles.”
It was Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker and Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks who made the ultimate decision to rescind Luvu’s suspension.
“Hearing officer Derrick Brooks, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, reduced the one-game suspension of Washington’s Frankie Luvu to a $100,000 fine,” NFL Senior Vice President of Football & International Communications Michael Signoar wrote on his official X account. “Luvu is eligible to play on Sunday.”
While Luvu gets to play in a Week 10 home game against the Detroit Lions, it might not make that much of a difference. The Commanders are 3-6 after entering the season as Super Bowl contenders and have lost 4 consecutive games.
Luvu’s Suspension Didn’t Sit Well in NFL Circles
Luvu was suspended after his third fine for a hip-drop tackle this season, although he didn’t receive penalties for any of them. Which NFL fans didn’t seem to appreciate.
The tackle in question was on Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba in Week 9.
“I dont know man. He dove for this tackle since JSN was nearing the line to gain,” The GOAT House wrote on its official X account. “I understand Luvu has multiple past hip drop tackles but I’m surprised this is the one that made the league make a move.”
Many fans pointed out the suspension for Luvu seemed to directly contradict with a play in that same game where Seattle linebacker Drake Thomas appeared to hip-drop tackle Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in which Daniels suffered a gruesome, dislocated left elbow injury.
“Wait a second, Commanders LB Frankie Luvu was fined and suspended for a hip-drop tackle … Where is the suspension and fine on Seahawk’s Drake Thomas for taking out Jayden Daniels with a hip-drop?” Benchwarmer Sports wrote on its official X account. “NFL so inconsistent.”
Luvu’s suspension was the first in NFL history for hip-drop tackles.
“So let me get this straight, the NFL suspends Frankie Luvu for 1 game for multiple hip-drop tackles but when our players get hip-drop tackled nothing happens to them? LOL Way to spit in our faces Goodell!” PolyMarket Sport’s Billy Tinkle wrote on his official X account.
Luvu Became One of NFL’s Best With Commanders
Luvu signed a 3-year, $31 million free agent contract with the Commanders before the 2024 season and was on track to lose $528,333 in salary for the 1-game suspension.
Luvu earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his career in 2024 with 99 tackles, 12 TFL, 8.0 sacks, 14 QB hits, 7 pass deflections, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries and started all 17 games. Washington also made the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.
Through 9 games in 2025, Luvu has 50 tackles, 2.0 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
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