The National Football League is expected to announce by Wednesday that it will start suspending players for devastating hits and head shots, according to a report broadcast by ESPN.
The new rules will be effective immediately and will take to task every player even if he has done it for the first time, especially if the violation is related to helmet-to-helmet hits.
NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson reiterated the need for strong disciplinary measures to avoid player injuries and said the changes will be quickly implemented after approval from Commissioner Roger Goodell.
There were two questionable hits as recently as on Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson and the Atlanta Falcons' Dunta Robinson were knocked out of their game after a collision. Robinson launched himself head first into Jackson but both ended up with concussions, though the injuries were not serious enough.
In the second incident, Ravens tight end Todd Heap took a hit from Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather. NFL is expected to analyze them all, especially if complaints are launched by the rival teams. Anderson has not commented on the number of players that may face suspensions for the hits from Sunday's games.
NFL has rules in place where it can eject players if they find them to have illegal hits and flagrant fouls; it has ejected 17 since 2007 by citing these rules. According to data compiled by the AP, nine players were ejected for throwing a punch or fighting, two for contact with officials, two for illegal helmet hits, and one for head-butting during this period.
