The NFL owners voted to ban the “hip-drop” tackle back in March of 2024. That type of tackle is blamed for a multitude of injuries and now results in a 15-yard penalty. Several players have been fined for making these tackles, and the penalty is more severe for repeat offenders.
Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu is considered a repeat offender. The veteran was fined after Week 4 and Week 8 and then was dinged again in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks. Initially, it was reported that Luvu would be suspended for one game without pay, but the league decided to make a change to his punishment upon appeal.
Frankie Luvu Will Not Serve a One-Game Suspension
NFL Senior Vice President of Football & International Communications Michael Signora reported on X that Luvu’s suspension was reduced to a $100,000 fine. Derrick Brooks was the hearing officer, and Luvu will now be able to play against the Detroit Lions in Week 10.
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, every NFL player is allowed to appeal a suspension. The appeals are eligible to be heard by Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson.
Luvu was fined $23,186 after Week 4 and $46,372 after Week 8, so the $100,000 fine is a big increase, but the veteran likely would prefer the fine over missing a game. Luvu hasn’t missed a game since 2022, and it appears that streak will continue.
This is a little bit of good news for the Commanders, who haven’t had much to be happy about lately. The team has lost four games in a row and now sits at 3-6 overall. Luvu has been one of the team’s most reliable defenders, though, so losing him would’ve been a huge loss.
So far in 2025, Luvu has played in all nine games and has 50 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and two pass deflections. PFSN’s LB Impact ranking has given Luvu a 61.3 grade for his performance in 2025.
Luvu originally joined the Commanders ahead of the 2024 season. The veteran signed a three-year, $31 million contract and carries a cap hit of over $12 million in 2025. Luvu collected 99 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and eight sacks in 2024, his first season with the team.
Even with Luvu in tow, the Commanders have a tough test in Week 10. The team is taking on the Detroit Lions, who are 5-3 and competing for the NFC North crown again. A fifth consecutive loss would be devastating for the Commanders and could have the team shift its focus to the offseason early.