NFL expects fewer injuries with trial of fair catch rule
EAGAN, MINN. >> The NFL has pushed the kickoff return further toward irrelevance with a priority on player safety.
League owners voted Tuesday for a one-year trial of an enhanced touchback rule that will give the receiving team the ball at its own 25 with a fair catch of a kickoff anywhere behind that yard line.
The proposal passed despite an expression of distaste for it from coaches and players across the league. They argued the rule change will create uglier plays with squib and corner kicks that are impossible for fair catches.
The NFL said its statistical models predict the return rate for kickoffs in 2023, under the new rule, will drop from 38% to 31% and that the rate of concussions on the sport's most dangerous play will be reduced by 15%. Concussions on kickoffs occur more than twice as often as on plays from scrimmage, and that rate has risen significantly over the last two years. NFL, GOODELL CLOSE TO FINALIZING 3-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION >> Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL have agreed on the framework of a three-year contract extension that will keep him in place until 2027, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed at the league meetings.
Goodell's current deal expires in 2024. He has been commissioner of the league since replacing Paul Tagliabue in 2006.
Irsay said he's under the impression Goodell will retire after the extended contract expires and be involved in the development of a potential successor. RODGERS STRAINS CALF DURING WARMUPS >> Aaron Rodgers never made it past warmups in his first New York Jets practice in front of the media.
The 39-year-old quarterback, acquired last month from Green Bay, strained a calf while participating in conditioning drills. Rodgers watched quarterback drills and remained on the field during practice, but was without his helmet and threw no passes.
“I don't think it's too serious,” Rodgers said, downplaying the injury and saying he took “a vet day.”
He didn't have a noticeable limp, but stretched his lower legs and ankles several times throughout the practice.
BILLS SAFETY HAMLIN EASES BACK INTO PRACTICE >> Wearing shorts and his familiar No. 3 blue practice jersey, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin began easing his way back into football during the team's voluntary minicamp, some five months after having a near-death experience on the field. The only thing missing was his helmet.
Though held back from taking part in team sessions, Hamlin participated in individual drills and the stretching portions to open and end practice in taking the next steps toward resuming his football career.
Pro basketball
GOLDEN STATE'S CURRY WINS KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD >> Golden State's Stephen Curry was selected as this season's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion, the NBA announced.
The league will donate $100,000 on Curry's behalf to the University of San Francisco Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice. He is the third winner of the award, after Carmelo Anthony in 2021 and Reggie Bullock last year.
Curry's off-court interests related to social justice are many. He's a cochair of former First Lady Michelle Obama's “When We All Vote” initiative, to help drive voter registration, education and turnout.