The NFL is considering expanding the use of replay assistance to include facemask penalties and other plays.
This season, officials have missed some clear facemask penalties, including two during Thursday night games within a three-week period.
“When we see it, because I see it like yourselves and the fans, I have an opportunity to see it from a different angle and see it from a slow-mo,” said NFL executive Troy Vincent on Wednesday during the league’s winter meetings.
“When you think about the position of where the officials are, things are happening so fast. Sometimes the facemask can be the same color as the gloves. There’s a lot happening. Concerning? Yes, because that’s a big miss. That’s a big foul.
That’s why we would like to consider putting that for the membership to consider putting that foul category that we can see, putting that (penalty flag) on the field to help. There is a frustration, and we believe that is one category we can potentially get right.”
In one example, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold had his facemask grabbed and was pulled down in the end zone, ending Minnesota’s comeback attempt against the Rams on Oct. 24. However, no penalty was called.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
On Oct. 3, officials also missed a facemask penalty on Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving during a 7-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Instead, Tampa Bay was penalized for holding, which pushed them out of field-goal range and allowed Kirk Cousins to lead the Falcons to an overtime win.
“That is one this year, the facemask seems like it was the obvious one,” Vincent said. “That keeps showing up.”
Vincent also mentioned other situations like hits on defenseless players, tripping, fair catch interference, illegal batted balls, illegal double-team blocks, illegal formations on kickoffs, and taunting as areas where replay assist could be helpful.
Current rules only allow replay assist to help officials with flags that were incorrectly thrown or to ensure the correct enforcement of penalties called on the field.
The NFL’s Competition Committee will review possible changes and make recommendations for owners to vote on expanding replay assist.