Tyquan Thornton is sadly out with a dislocated ankle after a nasty injury in the Las Vegas Raiders game. However, Treydan Stukes, who was involved in the injury-causing play, will escape a fine.
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“#Raiders S Treydan Stukes was not fined for this play that resulted in an severe ankle injury to #Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton,” Mike Garafolo said on X. “Some wondered if it qualified for a hip-drop tackle. Not so, says the league office. Just an unfortunate injury.”
With 3:35 left in the fourth quarter, Patrick Mahomes threw a deep pass toward the left side of the field. Tyquan Thornton caught the ball and was brought down by Treydan Stukes with what many believed to the illegal hip-drop tackle. No flag was called for the Raiders’ safety at the time.
In the first few moments, a jubilant Thornton didn’t even realize he had dislocated his ankle. He took Kansas City to Las Vegas’ 5-yard line, and even got up to celebrate. But as soon as he was upright, he realized what happened. Later visuals show his foot twisted in a gnarly manner, and he had to be carted off.
“That’s why they banned hip-drop tackles,” Jonathan Wier of 98.1 KMBZ in Kansas City posted on X. “God, I’m so angry.”
According to the NFL, a hip-drop tackle is when a defender “wraps up a ball carrier and rotates or swivels his hips, unweighting himself and dropping onto the ball carrier’s legs during the tackle.” Stukes’ arms indeed go around Thornton’s waist in the footage, but the NFL believes this was a legal tackle.
The hip-drop tackle was banned in March 2024.
If the NFL had fined Stukes for an illegal hip-drop tackle, he could have faced a $17,911 fine for a first offense under the league’s 2026 rules. Miami Dolphins CB Chris Johnson was fined earlier in the season for making the illegal tackle on Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty.
Despite the serious injury, Thornton could still return to the field later this season or during the playoffs.
“After extensive tests today, Tyquan Thornton is expected back within 12 to 16 weeks, sources say,” Ian Rapoport said on X. “He’ll have surgery within the week and there is a real chance at a late-season or playoff return.”
Thornton also remains optimistic about his recovery and eventual return.
“Love this team! 4-0 baby! I’ll be back stronger & better 🙏🏽🕺🏽 #ChiefsKingdom,” Thornton said on X.
Before getting injured, Thornton had delivered a strong performance, recording five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 22.2 yards per reception and was targeted eight times.
Tyquan Thornton was playing really well after a rather quiet offseason. Star TE Travis Kelce praised the WR, while also addressing his absence.
Travis Kelce happy about Tyquan Thornton
In the offseason, the Chiefs WRs most talked about were perhaps Xavier Worthy and rookie Cyrus Allen. Thornton, who hasn’t really had an impactful season in his career so far, was expected to be in the depth. However, he now has the second-most receiving yards on the team, only following Travis Kelce.
The TE sent a big shoutout to the injured receiver.
“Everybody … loves Tyquan,” he said, via the Kansas City Star. “The guy just shows up every single day with his construction hat on ready to go to … work and ready to put in the time and the effort that’s needed to have the success that he’s having.
“We’re 4-0. He’s playing unbelievable. He’s got Pat Mahomes’ trust. He’s got the coaches’ trust, and then to have something like this happen on such a big play in the game, it sucks, man. It sucks, and obviously positive news with the ankle (recovery timeline) and in hopes that if we are in the playoffs, and he’s healthy enough, he can get back out there.”
Thornton will eventually be overtaken by Rahsee Rice and Worthy. Rice was injured in the first quarter, but per Rapoport, the bye week can allow the WR to return in the upcoming game. Rice reportedly also wanted to get back in the Raiders game, which is a promising sign.