NFL Network analyst Adam Rank was among those accusing Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Shaka Heyward of a "hip-drop tackle" of Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland during their preseason game August 22 at Paycor Stadium.
"Thank goodness Colston Loveland avoided injury on a blatant hip-drop on Saturday night," Rank tweeted. "Looks like the officials are already in midseason form missing blatant roughing penalties against the Bears. Let's go ahead and put the Bears offensive stars in bubble wrap and see you in September."
Heyward, considered a special-teams ace, played in 12 games for the Bengals in 2025, his second season with the team. Heyward missed several weeks because of a hairline fracture of his left fibula.
Loveland's catch and run for
a touchdown with 17 seconds left lifted the Bears to a 47-42 win against the Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Week 9 of last season.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Shaka Heyward accused of 'blatant hip-drop' tackle of Colston Loveland
