Starting with the 2026 season, the NFL will focus discipline on on-field rules violations that are most likely to result in injuries to players.
In a joint statement released by the league and the NFL Players Association on Wednesday, it was announced that a "greater emphasis" will be placed on five rules violations that affect player healthy and safety:
Hip drop tackle Horse collar tackle Launching Hit on a defensive player Blindside block Any players who commit three of these five offenses during a season will receive a one-game suspension.
Meanwhile, players who commit just one violation will get 50% of the amount they are fined back at the conclusion of the season. Players who commit just one offense in other eligible categories will receive the full amount of their fine returned to them at the end of the season.
The NFL and the union said that all players will begin the 2026 season with a "clean slate" pertaining to these five offenses, however violations will carry forward to subsequent seasons.