Thursday’s preseason game against the Vikings will mark the first chance for Seahawks fans to see in person one of the NFL’s many new rules for this season — touchbacks on kickoffs being placed at the 25-yard-line instead of the 20.
The change was made to try to make it more appealing for receiving teams to accept a touchback, thereby decreasing the number of live returns, and in turn decreasing the number of injuries, with kickoffs being regarded as being as dangerous as any play in the sport.
It’s the latest attempt at reducing the number of kickoff returns —and hence injuries.