In a season of setbacks, this is one the Washington Commanders probably didn’t see coming.
The NFL came down hard on NFL All-Pro linebacker Frankie Luvu on Monday, November 3, with a 1-game suspension for repeatedly violating the NFL’s ban on hip drop tackles.
Luvu’s latest violation came in a 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks one day earlier — a fourth consecutive loss for the Commanders that dropped their record to 3-6.
“Commanders LB Frankie Luvu has been suspended without pay for one game for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during Sunday’s game against the Seattle,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account. “This is Luvu’s third hip-drop tackle of the season. He was previously fined for actions in Week 4 and Week 8.”
The Commanders host the Detroit Lions in Week 10.
Luvu’s suspension will cost him a pretty penny. He signed a 3-year, $31 million free agent contract with the Commanders before the 2024 season and he’ll lose $528,333 in salary for sitting out one game.
Social Media Reacts to Luvu’s Suspension
All 3 times Luvu has been fined for the hip-drop tackle, he wasn’t called for a penalty for it during the game. It was only discovered upon game tape review from NFL officials.
“So let me get this straight, the NFL suspends Frankie Luvu for 1 game for multiple hip-drop tackles but when our players get hip-drop tackled nothing happens to them? LOL Way to spit in our faces Goodell!” PolyMarket Sport’s Billy Tinkle wrote on his official X account.
“I hate that Frankie Luvu is getting suspended for a game for these three tackles,” 106.7-FM The Fan’s Grant Paulsen wrote on his official X acccount. “I get that they are illegal and that’s the rule. Just feels like a fine would suffice? Am I crazy. There’s nothing malicious or violent here.”
Luvu Has History of Playing on the Edge
Luvu’s particular path to the NFL means he has probably had to be even more vicious when it comes to how he handles business on the field.
Not only did Luvu go undrafted out of Washington State in 2018, he’s also undersized at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds — probably 15-20 pounds less than what you might want out of an ideal linebacker.
Luvu earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his career in 2024 after he signed a 3-year, $31 million free agent contract with the Commanders and delivered 99 tackles, 12 TFL, 8.0 sacks, 14 QB hits, 7 pass deflections, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries and started all 17 games.
With that style of play also comes a certain attitude — Luvu went viral for repeatedly drawing penalties against the Philadelphia Eagles famous “tush push” play in the NFC Championship Game.
Luvu got a warning from the referees that Philadelphia would just be awarded a touchdown if he continued to leap over the offensive line and into the backfield.
He’s also run afoul of the NFL before. Luvu has incurred fines on each of the 3 teams he played on. That includes approximately $20,000 for roughing the passer as a rookie with the New York Jets in 2018, then another $10,000 with the Carolina Panthers in 2022 for fighting.
NFL Announces Stiff Punishment for $31 Million Commanders All-Pro