The Detroit Lions will take on a short-handed Washington Commanders team this week — a squad already reeling from multiple key injuries and now set to be without one of its best defensive players.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, linebacker Frankie Luvu has been suspended for one game without pay following his third violation of the league’s rules on dangerous tackling.“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 Seahawks,” Schefter reported. “This is Luvu’s third hip-drop tackle of the season. He was previously fined for similar incidents in Week 4 and Week 8.”
The one-game ban represents another major blow to a Washington team already in crisis. The suspension not only weakens the Commanders’ defense but also gives the Lions a golden chance to rebound from their frustrating loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Commanders Lose Defensive Anchor Before Facing Detroit
Luvu’s absence will be felt across Washington’s defense. The 29-year-old has been a consistent presence this season, starting all nine contests and recording 50 total tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
A year ago, Luvu was named second-team All-Pro after an impressive campaign featuring 99 tackles and eight sacks.
The league issued a detailed explanation for the punishment, emphasizing that Luvu’s “hip-drop” technique — a tackling style the NFL has been working to eliminate due to its high risk of leg injuries — violated player safety rules.
The official statement cited Rule 12, Section 2, Article 18 (a)(b), which prohibits defenders from grabbing a ball carrier, swiveling their hips, and dropping their body weight onto the runner’s legs. The league says this method can cause severe lower-body injuries, prompting stricter enforcement this season.
Washington’s Week Gets Even Worse
The Commanders’ loss to Seattle on Sunday was disastrous on multiple levels. Not only did the team suffer a blowout defeat, but they also lost several crucial players in the process.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow, an injury expected to sideline him for several weeks — and possibly longer. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore tore his ACL, while rookie wide receiver Luke McCaffrey broke his collarbone, adding to the team’s growing list of setbacks.
The Lions, meanwhile, are coming off a tough performance of their own, falling 27–24 to the Vikings after a sloppy showing in all three phases. Head coach Dan Campbell took responsibility for the loss, admitting the team wasn’t mentally or physically prepared coming off their bye week.
“They executed and made the plays they needed to,” Campbell said. “As for us, we did everything possible to lose that game. Every critical mistake happened at the wrong time — a perfect storm. When all three phases struggle, that’s on me. I didn’t have them ready.”
Detroit’s defeat cost them a chance to climb atop the NFC North standings. But with the Commanders short-handed — and Marcus Mariota expected to take over at quarterback — the Lions could be poised for a much-needed bounce-back performance this weekend.
