Harbaugh's funny take on hip-drop tackle: Bateman hit

Contributing Writer
Ravens' John Harbaugh has hilarious response to hip-drop tackle on Rashod Bateman image

© Jeffrey Becker

The Baltimore Ravens escaped Week 10 with a crucial 27-19 win over the Minnesota Vikings that kept their playoff hopes and season alive.

But not everyone emerged unscathed.

Receiver Rashod Bateman, in the third quarter, caught a second-and-10 pass from Lamar Jackson in the red zone, and lunged forward to reach the endzone, only to be pulled down by a Vikings defender in what looked to be a hip-drop tackle, but no flags were forthcoming.

And speaking on Monday about Bateman's ankle sprain as a result of that tackle, head coach John Harbaugh was at his comedic best.

"What is a hip drop tackle?" Harbaugh said with a smile. "It's an enigma, apparently, that can't be called during the game. It looked like a hip drop tackle, I think. So, yeah, based on the definition. Am I going to get in trouble for saying that? I hope not.

"I think he's going to be okay, he's got an ankle sprain. We'll see how serious it is going forward."

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As incredible as it sounds, after starting the year 1-5, Baltimore, after winning three-straight games, is now just one game behind the 5-4 Pittsburgh Steelers for the division lead.

That shows how fickle the league can be on a week-to-week basis, and the Ravens, over the past month, have gotten their mojo back.

Still, they aren't out of the woods yet, with five division games on the schedule, Baltimore can't breathe easy, and having Bateman healthy will help the offense function at a higher level, as the veteran has an uncanny knack of being at the right place at the right time.

And the Ravens hope he can take his place in Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns.

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