Texans' Joe Mixon injured on uncalled hip-drop tackle against Bears; RB returns in fourth quarter

The NFL announced this offseason that it Ban on hip-drop tacklingThe new rule states that this type of takedown is now a penalty, costing the defense 15 yards plus an automatic first down. However, 31 games into the season, referees have not been enforcing this rule well.

Several hip-drop tackles were spotted in games during the first two weeks of the season, but the yellow handkerchiefs remained in the Zebras' pockets. Sources told NFL insider Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports that the league identified two hip-drop tackles that should have been punished in week 1.

In Sunday night's game between the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears, we saw another hip drop tackle that resulted in running back Joe Mixon being injured. Despite this, the referees saw nothing unusual about the play.

See what happened here:

Mixon left the game immediately and was officially listed as questionable to return to the game due to an ankle injury. He returned in the fourth quarter.

Although Bears linebacker TJ Edwards was not penalized for his conduct, it sounds like the league may penalize him for this tackle anyway. In case you're curious, here's the NFL's definition of the now-illegal hip-drop tackle:

It is a foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground: (a) he grabs the runner with both hands or wraps both arms around him; and (b) he shifts his weight by twisting his hips and/or lower body and dropping, landing on the runner's leg(s) and trapping it at or below the knee.