NEW YORK, March 16 (UPI) -- The NFL said Wednesday it will begin suspending players who repeatedly or flagrantly deliver illegal hits to an opponent's head.
The league cracked down on such hits last season by assessing hefty fines on several players but stopped short of issuing suspensions. Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, said that will change when the NFL resumes play, The Washington Post reported.
"We need to continue in terms of disciplining repeat offenders and flagrant violators. … When warranted, suspension will be an effective discipline for us," Anderson said.
The NFL also announced other rule changes meant to protect quarterbacks and receivers making catches.
Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay said a receiver will be considered a protected "defenseless" player until "he can clearly protect himself or becomes a runner."
Rules covering kickoffs were also changed to prevent defenders from getting more than a 5-yard running start before the kick, with touchbacks now coming out to the 20 rather than 25 yard line, the Post reported.
