Bills Rookie Faces Unthinkable NFL Punishment: Will He Miss Key Bengals Showdown?

The Buffalo Bills secured a hard-fought victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, but the win may come at a price for rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston. During a critical moment in the fourth quarter, Hairston executed what appeared to be a controversial hip-drop tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who fell awkwardly and sustained a head injury.

Although Hairston was not penalized on the play, he could face disciplinary action from the NFL, including a potential fine, when league officials announce their decisions this Saturday. The tackle occurred as the Bills were trailing 21-18 and the Bengals were in the midst of a promising drive. After catching a pass for a first down, Higgins was brought down by Hairston, who seemed to use his weight to force Higgins to the ground.

This tackle style has drawn scrutiny in recent years. According to a 2023 USA Today article detailing the NFL's ban on hip-drop tackles, this method has been linked to a significantly higher risk of injury. The report stated, “In a hip-drop tackle, the defensive player approaches from behind or the side, wraps his arms around the offensive player and becomes dead weight while dropping to the ground.” The report emphasized that this maneuver poses a 25-times higher risk of injury compared to conventional tackling techniques.

The Bills have experienced their own setbacks from similar tackles this season, notably with wide receiver Joshua Palmer, who was injured due to a hip-drop tackle against the Atlanta Falcons. As the league continues to crack down on dangerous plays, the ramifications for Hairston could extend beyond just a fine, potentially impacting his rookie season.

Hairston's performance may become even more crucial as the Bills prepare for their upcoming game against the New England Patriots. Starting cornerback Christian Benford suffered a toe injury during practice and was seen in a walking boot, raising questions about his availability for the game. Hairston has expressed his readiness to step up if Benford is unable to play. Bills head coach Sean McDermott acknowledged that Hairston has been developing, especially after missing much of training camp and the early season due to a knee injury.

“You go back to the beginning [of the season] where he missed quite a bit of time, so we’re still playing catch up a little bit,” McDermott said, emphasizing the need for Hairston to grow and learn from his experiences. The importance of depth in the cornerback position has never been clearer; Benford has been pivotal, contributing significant moments including a late interception of quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the Bills' win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

While Benford has been on a scoring tear, registering defensive touchdowns in both of the Bills' last two games, there was some optimism about his injury as he was spotted walking without the boot by the end of the week. His status remains uncertain, but the Bills are hoping for his return as they gear up for a tough division matchup.

Maxwell Hairston’s recent actions and their potential consequences could have a lasting impact on the Bills’ season. As they navigate injuries and shifting dynamics on the field, the team will need every player, including Hairston, to step up as they aim for a successful campaign in the competitive NFL landscape.