NFL tables onside kick proposal
NFL owners have tabled a proposal that would have offered a fourth-and-15 play as an alternative to the onside kick and approved testing expanded use of video replay in the preseason to aid in officiating.
Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay said Thursday there were more clubs receptive to the onside kick alternative than in the past and it will be further explored and likely brought up again.
“There were lots of really good questions about the impact and nuances” such a change would inThe volve, McKay said. “This was the longest discussion, I imagine 20 to 30 minutes on that. We ended up tabling it after taking a pulse where teams stood on it. We'll bring it back at some point.”
On a conference call Thursday, the 32 owners also increased the number of players who may be designated for return from the injured list during a season from two to three.
Also passed was making permanent the expansion of automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers negated by a foul, and any successful or unsuccessful extra points.
competition committee's recommendation to expand defenseless player protection to a kickoff or punt returner who is in possession of the ball but has not had time to avoid or ward off contact of an opponent also was approved.
Apple to join Panthers: The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with free agent cornerback Eli Apple.
Apple has started 48 games during four seasons in the NFL and has three interceptions and three forced fumbles but has never lived up to the billing of being the 10th overall selection in the 2016 draft.