Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu will avoid missing a game after the NFL reduced his one-game suspension to a $100,000 fine following an appeal. With this ruling by appeals officer Derrick Brooks, Luvu is now set to return in Week 10 when the Commanders take on the Detroit Lions. The discipline decision stirred attention and sparked a reaction from Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons.

Following the ruling, Parsons tweeted on X, “100k?????!!” expressing disbelief at the size of the fine that replaced Luvu’s suspension. The Packers LB’s public criticism of the NFL’s disciplinary ruling is notable, as the league closely monitors players’ remarks about its decisions.

Players who challenge NFL decisions go through a formal appeals process where their case is assigned randomly to one of the league’s three appointed hearing officers. Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson. These officers, jointly appointed and paid by the NFL and NFLPA, review the player’s actions. They hear arguments from both sides and issue a final binding decision. While Micah Parsons is unlikely to escalate his appeal, the league could well keep tabs on his future remarks.

Micah Parsons himself has a history with the NFL’s hip-drop tackle rule. In Week 7 against the Cardinals, Parsons was flagged for using a hip-drop tackle to sack quarterback Jacoby Brissett in the second quarter. That penalty also imposed a costly 15-yard penalty on Green Bay . It also gave Arizona a first down at their 40-yard line.

This drive led to a field goal that cut the Packers’ lead to 6-3. Despite the in-game penalty, Parsons was not fined by the NFL. Even former Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was fined $17,389. The reason: a hip-drop tackle in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This pattern of fines reflects the NFL’s strict stance on the hip drop tackle, which can lead to serious injury. Sunday night witnessed the use of this illegal tackle once again.

The rising spotlight on NFL’s hip-drop tackle rule

It was Frankie Luvu’s third time being fined for using a hip-drop tackle. This happened during a 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. His fines for the infractions came after Week 4 and Week 8, with amounts of $23,186 and $46,372, respectively. The NFL’s discipline comes after research that shows this tackling style creates twenty-five times more injury risk than a regular tackle.

The league’s new policy states that a player violates safety rules if they wrap up an opponent and unweight themselves by swiveling. The NFL emphasizes that this technique is especially dangerous and has increased the chances of serious injuries significantly. The new rule classifies any use of this “swivel” method as a personal foul. Luvu, who is 29 years old, is in his eighth NFL season and his second with the Commanders. Over nine starts this season, he has accumulated fifty tackles, two sacks, and four tackles for loss. This shows his reliability on the field.

Washington holds a record of three wins and six losses, and they are currently on a four-game losing streak. So, the Week 10 game is going to be a crucial test for the Commanders as they fight to keep playoff hopes alive.