5 new rules adopted by NFL clubs as of Tuesday’s morning session

At today’s Annual Meeting, owners voted to make permanent the kickoff rule changes that were implemented in 2018. The changes resulted in a 38% reduction in kickoff concussions vs. 2015-17, largely impacted from eliminating wedge blocks. Here's an overview. pic.twitter.com/RISl3DT9Kr

— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) March 26, 2019

The NFL owners have been busy in Phoenix over the past couple of days, reviewing a number of proposed rule changes submitted by the Competition Committee and clubs around the league.

As of Tuesday’s morning session, teams have approved the following five rule changes, per NFL Communications.

1. By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the kickoff rule changes that were implemented during the 2018 season.
2. By Competition Committee; Expands protection to a defenseless player.
3. By Competition Committee; Changes the enforcement of double fouls when there is a change of possession.
4. By Competition Committee; Simplifies the application of scrimmage kick rules for missed field goals.
5. By Competition Committee; Allows teams to elect to enforce on the succeeding try or on the succeeding free kick an opponent’s personal or unsportsmanlike conduct foul committed during a touchdown.

To expand protection of the player being blocked, @NFL owners voted to eliminate blindside blocks. One-third of all concussions on punts were caused by blindside blocks. With the rule change, any forcible contact by the blocker with his head, shoulder or forearm is prohibited. pic.twitter.com/abA2cENnXe

— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) March 26, 2019

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, a special meeting has been called at 4:15 p.m. PT to discuss the coaches’ views on replay and rules changes. The Seahawks are one of a number of teams who had submitted a proposed change to the instant replay system.