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NFL testing extra official on field, Microsoft Surface Tablet for instant replay

We saw the Microsoft Surface Tablet tested for instant replay during the 2015 Pro Bowl. We could see them in the regular season eventually.

We could be seeing NFL referees have a bigger influence on games in the near future if an eighth official is eventually added to the typical seven-man crew.

Beginning this week, the NFL is experimenting with an eighth on-field official during a few preseason games. Among the games implementing the extra official will be the final Week 2 game between the Bengals and Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.

"We are going to look at positioning the eighth official in a couple of different areas," says NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino in a press release.