ORLANDO, Fla. -- NFL owners passed an unexpected rule Tuesday that will expand penalties for helmet-to-helmet contact, one that is more significant and far-reaching than the NCAA's targeting rule.
Under the change, a player will be penalized 15 yards and potentially ejected any time he lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent. It will apply to tacklers, ball carriers and even linemen, and will take the place of a previous rule that limited the penalty to contact with the crown of the helmet.
The NCAA's targeting rule penalizes players only when they hit opponents who are in a defenseless position.