Bengals LB Logan Wilson gets support from Ravens players for Mark Andrews tackle
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson has been put under the spotlight for the wrong reasons this week. During the Bengals' 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football, Wilson was involved in three separate injuries to Ravens players throughout the night. He was the tackler on Mark Andrews when he suffered a season-ending […]
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson has been put under the spotlight for the wrong reasons this week.
During the Bengals' 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football, Wilson was involved in three separate injuries to Ravens players throughout the night. He was the tackler on Mark Andrews when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury, on Lamar Jackson when he nicked his ankle as well, and on Odell Beckham Jr. when he injured his shoulder.
The tackle on Andrews has gotten the most vitriol as it's become classified as a "hip-drop" tackle, but not everyone has been so quick to paint Wilson as a dirty player.
Ravens defensive lineman Patrick Ricard made sure to relay that Wilson has never had a reputation of being playing dirty and that the tackle wasn't intentional.
"Everybody respects him. I don't think it was intentional or dirty," Ricard said to BaltimoreRavens.com. "I think he's a great player. I have respect for him and think he plays the right way. I've never had a problem with him or heard that anyone had a problem with him."
Wilson's tackle on Andrews may become a critical example in the NFL's effort to remove it entirely from the game, but the very nature of the intent is much different compared to leading with the crown of the helmet or targeting a player's planted knees. Wilson tried to stop the Pro Bowl tight end from getting past him without going high or low on him.
The end result is obviously unfortunate, but Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen can also understand the situation Wilson was in.
"I hate that Mark is hurt. Prayers for him," Queen said. "But at the end of the day, we play football. We play a tackling sport. I don't think a hip drop tackle is that bad of a thing. How else do you want us to tackle? Just let the guy run past you?"
Bengals head coach went out of his way to show support for his linebacker as well.
"It's kind of been brought to my attention, the narrative that's out there right now, which I think is completely reckless," Taylor said. "He plays the game the right way. I think some people have gotten ahead of themselves, labeling him a certain way.
"It's frustrating to see that because I know what the guy is about. And I know that he's trying to play the game the right way."
Injuries in AFC North games are so unfortunately prevalent, but Wilson doesn't deserve the backlash he's been receiving. If Andrews' own teammates can sympathize with Wilson, then everyone else with an opinion on the matter can do the same.
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