NFL passes targeting rule, yet to decide if players will be ejected
NFL owners passed a targeting rule during Tuesday's league meetings, according to Albert Breer of the MMQB.com.
Lowering the head to initiate contact with the helmet is now considered a foul and will carry a 15-yard penalty, added Breer. However, the NFL has yet to decide if players could be ejected as a result - like in college football - and will continue to discuss it.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said players "may be disqualified."
Playing Rule Article 8: It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent. The player may be disqualified. Applies to any player anywhere on the field. The player may be disqualified.
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) March 27, 2018
The league intends to bring in coaches and players for their input on exactly how the new rule should be enforced and what will be considered an ejectable offense, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
The NFL has made clear it wants to reduce helmet-to-helmet hits.
"In our ongoing study of how to make the game better, we just seemed to see more lowering of the head," Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said at the league meetings, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
" ... When you look at the plays where the players are dropping their head, we're doing a good job of catching it after the fact with fines and things of that nature, but probably can do a better job of making the call on the field that, hopefully, we'll even emphasize more."