The NFL made dramatic adjustments to its kickoff regulations in March with the goal of boosting the collection of kickoff returns hour additionally mitigating the chance of a prime charge of important accidents. Even supposing it’s too early to assemble concrete judgments, the consequences from the preseason point out that the collection of kickoff returns may just build up considerably this season.
In a media briefing considering fitness and protection Monday, the NFL introduced that the kickoff go back charge via two weeks of the preseason is ready 78 p.c. In 2023, the kickoff go back charge all through the common season was once simply 21.8 p.c consistent with TruMedia.
The kickoff go back charge is typically upper within the preseason as groups try to refine their technique and provides roster hopefuls on particular groups extra reps, however there’s nonetheless been a important uptick. From 2020-23, the typical kickoff go back charge within the preseason was once handiest 54.7 p.c.
The NFL doesn’t have shock knowledge for kickoff returns simply but, so it’s no longer imaginable to mention whether or not the rule of thumb has succeeded in heading off gamers getting injured extra incessantly.
“Obviously, sample size really matters,” NFL leading clinical officer Dr. Allen Sills mentioned Monday. “Nothing has jumped out so far. There haven’t been any unusual findings in the first two weeks in terms of injury rates or types of injury, but obviously that’s something that we’ll continue to track closely.”
The typical kickoff go back within the preseason has been 25 yards, which is up from 23 yards endmost season. There were 39 kickoff returns of 30 or extra yards within the preseason; there have been simply 97 such returns all of endmost season. Once more, the pattern dimension is petite, however that signifies there will probably be extra explosive performs on kickoff returns this age.
“We’ve seen a lot more kicks returned, we’ve seen some more dynamic kicks — meaning big plays — and we’ve seen a greater distribution on where drives are starting,” NFL govt vice chairman, participant fitness & protection Jeff Miller mentioned Monday.
Some other main remaining has been the groups’ moderate origination farmland place coming off of kickoffs. In 2023, the typical origination farmland place for groups following kickoff returns or touchbacks was once their very own 25.2-yard sequence. Within the 2024 preseason, that quantity is as much as the crew’s personal 28.1-yard sequence.
Given touchbacks consequence within the ball being positioned on the receiving crew’s 30-yard sequence, that raises the query of whether or not groups will simply accept touchbacks in an attempt to keep away from give up explosive returns. The touchback charge within the preseason is handiest 19 p.c, which is considerably less than the velocity of 73 p.c within the common season endmost age, however that would alternate as soon as the common season begins.
When requested whether or not the NFL may just adjust the kickoff rule to institute a harsher penalty for touchbacks prior to the beginning of the common season, the league left the door visible.
“It is a one-year rule change, so we anticipate evaluating this throughout the season,” NFL leading soccer administrative officer First light Aponte mentioned Monday. “As things progress through the preseason, it’s very possible that we will see some changes as we head into the regular season. We will continue to monitor it. … There’s still a lot to be seen as we head into the regular season.”
It’s uncommon that the NFL makes rule adjustments all through the common season, however Aponte didn’t totally not include the potential for the league tweaking its pristine kickoff regulations.
“Our objective is always to have the rule in place as we head into the season. I never say never — there’s people above my pay grade that get to decide that — but that’s the objective,” Aponte mentioned. “We will continue to evaluate it throughout the season. And anything that needs clarification, I think will come out as need be.”
(Picture: Jaiden Tripi / Getty Photographs)
