NFL officials visited NovaCare to brief the team, then reporters, about rule changes for 2018. The catch rule has been made less arcane, kickoffs will look different because blockers and tacklers will have less of a running start, but the big focus is that more helmet-first hits will be penalized.
Side judge Ron Perlman said that offensive and defensive players will be assessed 15 yards for hits to any part of an opponent using the helmet, if the transgressor lowers his head to initiate contact, in the officials’ judgement. If the helmet is lowered to brace for contact, that isn’t supposed to be a penalty.