Correction: In the original version of the article, it stated that teams could elevate a quarterback to be the emergency quarterback in addition to the two standard elevations. That was incorrect. A team may elevate a quarterback to be the emergency quarterback as part of their allowed two standard elevations.
The NFL is changing the emergency quarterback rule they established last season. At the annual league meeting in Orlando on Tuesday, owners approved a change that makes it easier for teams to have a third quarterback available for games for emergencies.
Teams will now be able to elevate a quarterback from the practice squad and have him be eligible to be the emergency quarterback.
Following the San Francisco 49ers losing both active quarterbacks to injury in the NFC Championship Game two seasons ago, the league approved a change that would allow a third quarterback on the active roster be designated among the team’s inactive players as the emergency quarterback, eligible to play only in the case of both active quarterbacks being ruled out with injury.
Under last season’s rules, a quarterback on the practice squad and elevated to the active roster for the game was not eligible to receive that emergency QB designation.
Teams will now be permitted to, as part of the two standard elevations from the practice squad each week, can elevate a quarterback to serve as the emergency quarterback.
Unlike the standard elevation rules that allow players to be elevated three times before they must clear waivers, teams can elevate a quarterback unlimited times.
What does this mean?
It likely means that few teams will keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.
The Arizona Cardinals never designated an emergency quarterback last season. They only kept two quarterbacks on the active roster and then had a third on the practice squad.
Under the new rule, they can continue to do this and now be able to elevate the third player for games, include him on the inactive list but allow him to dress for the game for emergency purposes.
As the Cardinals acquired Desmond Ridder this offseason and he is presumed to be the primary backup to Kyler Murray, this new change will likely affect Clayton Tune. If the Cardinals can get Tune to the practice squad, he will at least get to dress each week.
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