Logo

Official: NFL Opens Investigation into ‘MMA-Style’ Takedown in Commanders Game Following Public Outcry

New York, NY – September 12, 2025
The NFL has officially opened an investigation into the controversial takedown by Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin on a play that resulted in a fractured collarbone for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed. The decision follows a wave of public criticism and a forceful, NFL-style statement from head coach Matt LaFleur, who likened the hit to something “off an MMA mat.”

The dispute erupted during Thursday Night Football — Week 2 at Lambeau Field. On the opening drive, Reed hauled in a deep 39-yard pass that looked like a touchdown, but the play was wiped out for holding on rookie OL Anthony Belton. As the sequence finished, Martin drove Reed to the ground; the receiver stayed down for an extended period before heading to the tunnel. Television replays showed clear pain in Reed’s right arm, and he was later confirmed to have a fractured collarbone and ruled out. In the game context, no additional penalty was assessed on Martin for that sequence, fueling debate about how receivers are protected.

The combination of player-safety precedents and the Week 2 incident has framed the investigation’s central question: did the takedown exceed safe-play standards and indicate an intent to injure even though the play was effectively dead? The focus is not on the on-field ruling at the time, but on the nature of the act and the level of danger posed to a defenseless receiver.

According to league sources, the NFL will gather all available angles and audio, medical documentation, and statements from all parties. Should the league determine there was severe unnecessary roughness or egregious post-whistle conduct — especially any sign of intent to injure — potential sanctions could include significant fines and/or suspension, with enhanced penalties for repeat behavior.

The Packers remain measured, focusing on Reed’s recovery while leaving the assessment to the league. The Commanders and Quan Martin have indicated they will cooperate with the review, maintain there was no malicious intent, and await the NFL’s findings. No party is commenting on the original on-field decision to avoid shifting attention from the core issue under examination.

As the inquiry proceeds, the NFL faces pressure to reinforce confidence in its player-protection framework and to draw a clear line between legal contact and out-of-bounds actions after the ball is dead. Any discipline — if issued — would signal that safety is the top priority and that any hint of intent to injure will be met with zero tolerance.

 

5091 views
Eagles Head Coach Announces A.J. Brown To Start On The Bench For Standout Rookie After Poor Performance vs. Broncos
  Philadelphia, PA — the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach confirmed that A.J. Brown will start on the bench in Week 6 against the New York Giants, with the boundary starting spot going to rookie WR Taylor Morin—an undrafted signing out of Wake Forest who flashed through rookie camp and the preseason. The decision follows an underwhelming offensive showing against the Denver Broncos, where several snaps highlighted the unit being out of sync between Brown and Jalen Hurts. On a midfield option route, Hurts read Cover-2 and waited for an inside break into the soft spot, while Brown maintained a vertical stem and widened to the boundary to stretch the corner. The ball fell into empty space and the drive stalled. On a separate red-zone snap, a pre-snap hot-route signal wasn’t locked identically by the pair, resulting in a hurried throw that was broken up. The staff treated it as a reminder about route-depth precision, timing, and pre-snap communication—the micro-details that underpin the Eagles’ offense when January football arrives. Starting Morin is part of a plan to re-establish rhythm: the early script is expected to emphasize horizontal spacing, short choice/option concepts, and over routes off play-action to probe the Giants’ responses. Morin—who has shown strong hands in tight windows and clean timing in the preseason—should give the call sheet a steadier platform, while Brown will be “activated” in high-leverage downs such as 3rd-and-medium, two-minute, and red zone to maximize his body control, early separation, and the coverage gravity that can force New York to roll coverage. Facing the tough call, Brown kept his response brief but competitive:“I can’t accept letting a kid take my spot, but I respect his decision. Let’s see what we’re saying after the game. I’ll practice and wait for my chance. When the ball is in the air, everyone will know who I am.” Operationally, the staff is expected to streamline the call sheet between Hurts and Brown: standardize option-route depths, clearly flag hot signals, and increase game-speed reps in 7-on-7 and team periods so both are “seeing it the same and triggering the same.” Handing the start to Morin also resets the locker-room standard: every role is earned by tape and daily detail—even for a star of Brown’s caliber. If Brown converts the message into cleaner stems and precise landmarks—catching the ball at the spot and on time—the Eagles anticipate early returns: fewer dead drives, better red-zone execution when back-shoulder throws and choice routes are run “in the same language,” and an offense that regains tempo before taking on Big Blue. With Taylor Morin in the opening script, Philadelphia hopes the fresh piece is enough to jump-start the attack from the first series.