The NFL has rescinded the $16,883 fine levied against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith for his hit on Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The league initially ruled Smith's tackle, which resulted in Godwin suffering a season-ending ankle injury, violated the new hip-drop rule. The two-time Pro Bowler filed what proved to be a successful appeal.

The hip-drop rule was unanimously approved in March. In explaining the new guideline, the NFL cited its finding that "this specific technique causes lower extremity injuries at a rate 20 times higher than other tackles, resulting in an unacceptable risk to player health and safety."

The final ruling on Smith is likely to lead to further scrutiny of the rule.

The NFL Players Association already came out against it in the spring, arguing that it makes the jobs of defensive players even more difficult. It's also tough to discern what is and isn't a hip-drop tackle.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero cited Smith's hit on Godwin in October as "the latest example of why the NFL banned the hip-drop tackle." Now, the league is sending a much different message.

NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent has pointed to how the rule might prove to be inconsequential for the most part. He told reporters in October that 22 potential hip-drop tackles had been sent to the league office to that point, and none met every necessary criteria to violate the guidelines.