Story thread · 3 reports / 3 sources

Rams and Chiefs stars among six players to avoid ‘strike’ for violations thanks to loophole in new rule

talksport.com · 7dShare

The NFL and the NFL Players Association have agreed to a new ‘three-strike’ system aimed at enhancing on-field safety. A new formula will trigger automatic one-game suspensions for three violations of five specific safety rules across the 2026 season. A new three-strike system for certain fouls will come into play in 2026 Getty Hip-drop tackles , horse-collar tackles, launching, hits on defenseless players and blindside blocks will all fall under the remit. A suspension will only apply if a player commits three violations of the same rule. In theory, three hip-drop tackles will trigger a ban, but two hip-drop tackles and one horse-collar tackle over the course of the season, won’t. NFL players to escape punishment for preseason violations A loophole in the new rule also means a number of stars dinged for the infractions in preseason won’t be caught out to start the new year. NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP! talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of cover

First report: NFL's new three-strike system doesn't apply until the 2026 regular season — nbcsports.com, 8d