The NFL approved a new rule on Monday that gives teams more roster flexibility this season. The bylaw proposal will allow each team to dress an emergency third quarterback without that player being active on their game-day roster.
Basically, as long as the player is on the 53-man roster and not a practice squad call-up, they can play in the event that the first two active quarterbacks are unable to play due to injury (not poor performance).
The NFL has approved a rule allowing a team to designate a roster spot on an emergency 3rd QB.
A couple important rules:
* That player must be on the 53-man roster (it cannot be a practice squad call-up)
* That player can only play if the top 2 QBs are injured (no benchings)— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 22, 2023
The rule change comes after what happened to the 49ers in the playoffs last year when they were decimated by injuries at the quarterback position and had no other options on their active roster. This forced an injured Brock Purdy to play without being able to throw the ball during the team’s loss to the Eagles in the NFC Championship.
The NFL is rightfully attempting to avoid forcing teams to revert back to playing 1960s-style football when an injury strikes the game’s most important position. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network shared the full rule change below.
Here’s the full bylaw that owners approved today. Notably, it limits the third QB exemption to players on the inactive list — not practice squad players who weren’t elevated for the game. Could impact 53-man roster construction for some teams. pic.twitter.com/ka0TpgibHk
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 22, 2023
The 49ers got even more good news Monday afternoon as San Francisco was awarded Super Bowl LX.
Super Bowl LX is headed to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2026!@LevisStadium @bayareahc_ @49ers pic.twitter.com/PJYFtq6wbY
— NFL (@NFL) May 22, 2023
