NFL Hands Down Major Punishment to Veteran for Hit on Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba

The NFL levied a hefty punishment on a Washington Commanders veteran for his actions against Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu has been suspended for one game after his illegal tackle against the Seahawks.

“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,” Schefter detailed in a November 3, 2025, message on X. “This is Luvu’s third hip-drop tackle of the season. He was previously fined for actions in Week 4 and Week 8.”

The play fell in line with the league’s new ban on hip-drop tackles. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo provided additional context, noting that the play came on a tackle against Smith-Njigba.

“The hip-drop tackle that led to Commanders LB Frankie Luvu’s suspension is on the hip-drop tackle of JSN on second-and-17 with 8:01 to go in the first quarter here,” Garafolo noted on November 3.

Here’s what you need to know about the NFL’s punishment decision following the Seahawks-Commanders game.

Commanders LB Frankie Luvu Received a 1-Game Suspension Without Pay After Illegal Tackle on Seahawks WR JSN

Luvu’s suspension was not just about his play against the Seahawks star. This marks the third time the Commanders defender has been disciplined for a hip-drop tackle this season. Here’s a look at the play that proved to be the illegal tackle that prompted the NFL to drop the hammer.

Here’s the hip-drop tackle Monday night that got Commanders LB Frankie Luvu suspended as a result of cumulative violations. He’s wearing No. 4.

Not only is Luvu being suspended, but the linebacker will not receive pay during the suspension. The good news is that Luvu is on a three-year, $31 million contract, so the veteran can afford to lose a little money.

Seahawks Rumors: Seattle Is a Team to Watch at the NFL Trade Deadline, Says Insider

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Seahawks could be one of the few teams to strike a major trade. Seattle has until 4 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, November 4, to make a deal.

“I don’t know that we’re going to get much that’s any more significant than that move (Eagles-Dolphins trade) this morning,” Schefter detailed in a November 3, interview on the “Pat McAfee Show.” “We might. We might.

“Seattle is interesting. Seattle is interesting. As my friend Brian Windhorst would say, something is going on in Seattle. Yep, something is going on in Seattle. Seattle would be a team to watch.”

The Seahawks Are Unlikely to Trade Riq Woolen: Insider

One player who continues to be mentioned in trade rumors is former Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen. The veteran has had an inconsistent 2025 campaign and is headed to NFL free agency in the offseason. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that the Seahawks are unlikely to cut ties with Woolen despite the ongoing rumors.

“It’s currently considered unlikely that the Seahawks trade cornerback Riq Woolen, sources tell @CBSSports,” Zenitz noted in a November 3, message on X. “Woolen, who’s been a popular name in advance of the NFL trade deadline, has made 52 starts the last four years and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2022.”

Bucs Rookie Turning Heads With ‘Electric Surge’ During Preseason

The preseason is a lifeline for unheralded players across the spectrum from undrafted free agents to veterans looking for one last shot. While most never make it to a 53-man roster, others break onto the scene and establish a path to potential stardom. This year, Buccaneers Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix believes that undrafted Bucs linebacker Nick Jackson has showcased exactly the type of “electric surge” that could secure him a roster spot one week from today.

Jackson’s Preseason Performance is Grabbing the Attention of the Bucs and a Former 11-Year NFL Veteran

During the first two weeks of the preseason, Nick Jackson has turned in several highly-productive performances. During Week One, Jackson provided a jolt with six tackles (two for loss), a sack, a quarterback hit, one pass breakup and a stellar one-handed interception.

He then followed that up with an impressive performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording three tackles and yet another sack. Only two players have more sacks so far. Second-year defensive end Austin Booker leads all players with 4.0 sacks and sixth-year linebacker Anfernee Jennings trails just behind with 3.0 sacks.

According to Dix, Jackson is now in position to fight for a “coveted spot” on the Bucs’ 53-man roster. After putting on a “sensational show” during the first two weeks, Dix wrote that he has “created an electric spark.”

“He is rangy and instinctive with the athleticism to play in space as a drop defender,” Dix wrote. “Jackson effectively locates the ball and reacts at the second level. He has turned heads with flashy plays throughout the offseason workout program and has taken advantage of reps.”

Last week, former 11-year NFL veteran and one of the best analysts in the media landscape, Brian Baldinger, posted a video praising Jackson’s performance. Baldinger wrote the following caption:

@Buccaneers UDFA, Nick Jackson, did what you have to do when you are undrafted! He got himself noticed with some splash plays. Received valuable PT and made best of it. #BaldysBreakdowns

Jackson is Grateful for the Guidance of Bucs Veterans

As an undrafted free agent, Jackson has already defied the odds by surviving the preseason cut down to 90 players. Now, with just one week until final roster cuts, Jackson expressed his gratitude for the Bucs coaching staff and veterans.

“I am just grateful to the coaching staff and the calls that we have been making,” Jackson said. “It really starts up front with the defensive line and the defensive backs and those guys have done a good job of holding shells and getting movement up front and it is just an honor really to be here and to play behind those guys and to play with those guys.”

As an off-ball linebacker, Jackson has taken advantage of the invaluable opportunity to ‘pick the brains’ of several veterans. He went out of his way to highlight the impact of Lavonte David, Anthony Walker Jr. and Deion Jones. With over 400 games played between them, Jackson is in a great position to learn from each of the Bucs’ veterans.

Jackson noted that each of those three have taken him under their wing and mentored him in what it takes to survive the NFL.

“Lavonte, I cannot express how much he has meant to me and my development,” Jackson said. “Every single day I just kind of ask him questions and what he sees, or he will look over at me and tell me little things about my feet, my eyes, my hands and Anthony Walker and Deion Jones, they are the same way.”

With veteran guidance like that, it should be no surprise that Jackson is impressing during the preseason. If he can make more impact plays during the preseason finale on Saturday, he could defy the odds and secure a spot on the Bucs roster.