Colts lose running back Salvon Ahmed for season on banned hip-drop tackle

The infamous hip-drop tackle, banned by the NFL last year, has cost the Colts one of their running backs.

Salvon Ahmed was lost for the season after suffering a major ankle injury last Sunday during practice, with the team officially putting him on injured reserve Friday.

He was injured during a live tackling period when safety Trey Washington used a hip-drop tackle.

“Never want to see that happen,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said at the time, according to ESPN.

“I know we don’t encourage hip-drop tackles. I know Trey’s down in the dumps, and I don’t think he’s trying to do that. We’re just trying to create an edge. … Those [backups] are going to have to tackle come preseason.”

To replace Ahmed, the Colts signed former Dolphins running back Nate Noel.

Noel is competing for one of the team’s backup running back spots behind starter Jonathan Taylor.

Rookie DJ Giddens, plus veterans Khalil Herbert and Tyler Goodson are all in the mix.

Steichen has sought a more intense training camp this year for the Colts, one that includes live tackling.

That can have drawbacks.

“I think training camp is where you want to create the edge and the toughness and the identity of your football team, so you have live periods,” Steichen said.

Ahmed was signed to the Colts practice squad last October and later signed a reserve/futures contract in January.

He was previously with the Dolphins.

The Colts are also dealing with an injury suffered by quarterback Anthony Richardson during Thursday’s preseason opener, who exited the game with a dislocated pinky.

Richardson could return to practice Saturday, according to ESPN.

Sportsbooks still project Richardson to beat out ex-Giants quarterback Daniel Jones for the starting job.