Written by Andy | 24 March 2011

Nathan Rupert/FlickrTo reduce the incident of injuries, the NFL has instituted a new rule proposed by the competition committee, requiring all ballcarriers to run out-of-bounds prior to any player suffering an injury.

"If running backs, receivers and return men are taking a bee line to get out-of-bounds, plays will be much shorter and as a result fewer injuries will occur," said NFL competition committee chairman Rick McCay, "From the film we've studied, it appears when big, strong, fast guys run into one another at full speed they can get hurt, such as a lineman throwing a vicious block or a defender making a tackle."

By requiring runners to go out-of-bounds or get hit with a penalty, the league hopes to eliminate these unnecessary blocks and plays that will end only when someone is brought to the ground.

Tackling a ballcarrier without forcing him to the sideline will also be considered a penalty.

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