NFL approves new kickoff rule after aggressive pushback
The NFL is making a major rule change on kickoffs beginning in the 2023 season.
Fair catches and touchbacks will now come out to the 25-yard line, according to a report from NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.
In past years, the ball has been placed at the 20-yard line on fair catches and touchbacks in the NFL. Moving the ball to the 25 means the NFL will have the same starting spot as college football.
According to Rapoport, the NFL is making the change in order to be safer. Rapoport added that special teams coaches around the league are opposed to the rule change.
Making football safer has been a major emphasis at all levels of the sport. Now the NFL is adopting the same rule as college football on kickoffs and touchbacks.
College football made the rule change in 2018 in an effort to be safer.
NFL executive Jeff Miller reportedly said that there are more concussions on kickoffs and punts than on other plays. The return rate is expected to drop from 38 percent to 31 percent and the concussion rate should drop 15 percent, according to Tom Pelissero.
“The kickoff play has the highest rate of concussion year after year. You can’t stand by and do nothing,” Miller reportedly said.
He added that more rule changes could be coming in order to try to increase player safety.
NFL owners approve rule proposal allowing emergency QB to dress
Another NFL rule change was announced earlier this week.
The change will allow an emergency third quarterback that can be activated from the inactive list during the game if the two available quarterbacks are injured or ejected. The rule was previously in effect from 1991-2010.
The decision comes in the aftermath of the NFC Championship Game where the San Francisco 49ers faced that exact situation. Starting quarterback Brock Purdy injured his throwing elbow in the game — which was later announced to be a UCL tear — leading to Josh Johnson to take over. Johnson then suffered a concussion and couldn’t return to the game. It led to Purdy, who was unable to throw the ball, having to take over on offense for the rest of the game.
The Philadelphia Eagles won the game.
It was a difficult injury situation all year for the 49ers at quarterback. Opening day starter Trey Lance broke his ankle in Week 2 and missed the remainder of the season. Jimmy Garoppolo, starter when healthy for the previous four seasons, then took over before he suffered a foot injury, which led to Purdy taking over.