Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner could see the NFL come down with punishment for his hit on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Late in the first half of Sunday’s loss to Baltimore, Turner turned the corner and had a free lane to Jackson. He wrapped up Jackson and drove him to the ground for a 10-yard sack that, 10 years ago, would have looked like a textbook finish.
But that’s not today’s NFL.
Turner was flagged for roughing the passer for finishing the hit with his body weight falling directly on top of Jackson. The play resulted in the Ravens getting 15 extra yards and an eventual field goal to close the half, trailing 10-9.
The NFL has handed out nine fines for roughing the passer, and Turner’s hit on Jackson could become No. 10. Turner is facing a fine of up to $17,389.
Turner was fined in Week 8 for unnecessary roughness on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. That play saw Turner “launch” himself into Herbert, which was a justifiable fine.
However, some NFL pundits took issue with the roughing the passer call Turner received on Sunday — and the NFL could remain hushed to avoid any further scrutiny.
Michael Strahan Criticizes NFL for Dallas Turner Penalty on Lamar Jackson
During halftime of the Vikings-Ravens game, Michael Strahan took issue with the call that Turner faced to close the first half.
“That was a bad call,” Strahan said. “You know they talk about getting to the side and taking your weight off the quarterback—it’s impossible in the flow of the game. He’s just trying to make a play! At what point are we gonna realize quarterbacks play football too? We’re all playing football!”
Strahan’s critique embodies the disadvantages that defensive players face in the modern NFL. However, the rules are such. Players practice adjusting their bodies once contact is made to operate within the rules.
The NFL is likely not going to move backward in its efforts to protect player health and safety, which continues to put the onus on defensive players.
Here’s what the NFL rulebook states:
A rushing defender is prohibited from committing such intimidating and punishing acts as “stuffing” a passer into the ground or unnecessarily wrestling or driving him down after the passer has thrown the ball, even if the rusher makes his initial contact with the passer within the one-step limitation provided for in (a) above. When tackling a passer who is in a defenseless posture (e.g., during or just after throwing a pass), a defensive player must not unnecessarily or violently throw him down or land on top of him with all or most of the defender’s weight. Instead, the defensive player must strive to fall to the side of the quarterback’s body, or to brace his fall with his arms to avoid landing on the quarterback with all or most of his body weight.
Dallas Turner Has Chance at Redemption With Jonathan Greenard Questionable for Vikings
Pro Bowler Jonathan Greenard exited the Ravens game with a shoulder injury and is considered questionable this week against the Chicago Bears.
That opens an opportunity for Turner to step up in what would be his sixth career start.
Had Turner’s sack on Jackson been counted and unpenalized, that would have likely been the best game of his young career.
Still, Pro Football Focus (PFF) indicates it just might be. Turner graded out with a 71.0 overall grade, one of the highest game grades of his career.
This season, Turner had to fill in for Andrew Van Ginkel for five games and played a versatile coverage role.
If Greenard can’t go, Turner may be tasked with playing more on the right side as a pure pass rusher.
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