Buffalo Bills linebacker A.J. Epenesa has received an unwelcome surprise during the team’s Week 12 bye week, being fined $15,400 for a hip-drop tackle on Chiefs running back Carson Steele. Despite the tackle occurring with 12:51 left in the game and no penalty being called at the time, the NFL has decided to penalize Epenesa. With 5.0 sacks this season, he’s just shy of matching his career-high. The fine comes amid growing scrutiny over hip-drop tackles, an issue the NFL has yet to fully define. There’s speculation over whether Epenesa will appeal the fine, with the possibility of a precedent being set after a similar fine was rescinded for Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith earlier this season.
The fine comes at a particularly inconvenient time for Epenesa, as he is in the midst of one of his strongest seasons yet, contributing significantly to the Bills’ defense. With 5.0 sacks and 9 quarterback hits, Epenesa has been a pivotal player in the Bills’ pass rush, just 1.5 sacks away from matching his career-best total of 6.5. This fine could potentially put a damper on his momentum, even though he continues to be a key figure for Buffalo.
The NFL’s stance on hip-drop tackles has been a point of contention, with officials and league decision-makers seeming at odds over its definition and enforcement. While Epenesa’s tackle on Steele wasn’t flagged during the game, the league has evidently made a strong statement against the controversial maneuver, issuing the fine. This marks another chapter in the ongoing discussion about how to best regulate player safety without impacting the flow of the game.
It remains to be seen if Epenesa will follow in the footsteps of Roquan Smith and appeal the fine. Smith’s appeal was successful, with the NFL ultimately rescinding his fine for a similar tackle earlier this season. The precedent set in that case could give Epenesa hope that the league might reconsider its decision. Fans and analysts alike are keeping an eye on whether the Bills’ linebacker will challenge the fine, as it could pave the way for other players facing similar charges to follow suit.
As the Bills prepare for the remainder of the season, Epenesa’s focus will likely shift back to his performance on the field, especially as the team sets its sights on securing a playoff spot. How the NFL handles this fine could set the tone for how hip-drop tackles are officiated and enforced moving forward, impacting not just Epenesa, but potentially the entire league.
