Often imitated, the success rarely duplicated, the tush-push is becoming a bit of an injury risk in just about every NFL outpost other than Philadelphia, as Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield found out Sunday afternoon.
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The Buccaneers attempted a variation of the Eagles' 'tush-push' with 8:51 remaining, from the one-yard line, and Mayfield appeared to suffer an injury on a play that failed to cross the goal-line. Shortly after, Mayfield was seen limping on the sideline, and was replaced in the game by Tampa Bay backup quarterback, Kyle Trask.
Mayfield exited Sunday's game, with the possibility of returning, having completed 5-of-8 passes for 56 yards.
Few teams have been able to replicate the Eagles' winning formula on the play; an All-Pro center, a quarterback whose lower-body strength is exemplified by the fact that he squats over 600 pounds, and an abundance of experience running the play.
However, even though the Eagles have made the 'brotherly shove' seem like an automatic short-yardage conversion, other teams have struggled to consistently see the same results and have discovered an inherent injury risk.
Here’s the injury to Mayfield.
Kyle Trask has replaced him and Baker is limping on the sideline. pic.twitter.com/Ycjv82O9pf
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) November 26, 2023
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Earlier this season, New York Giants rookie center John Michael Schmitz and tight end Daniel Bellinger both suffered injuries on the play. There have even been calls by teams across the league for the NFL to ban the tush-push, however, it would seem that the league office needs to compile more in-depth injury information before rendering any sort of decision on the play's future this offseason.
The NFL will need to consider if the push-element of the play makes it more inherently dangerous than a typical quarterback sneak, in addition to other variables.
Following the Buccaneers' inability to score, Tampa Bay was tied with the Colts 3-3, with 3:01 remaining in the first quarter in Indianapolis.
