Published on: 20-Oct-2025
With the NFL season underway, much of the attention is on touchdowns, rivalries, and playoff hopes. But behind the scenes, 2024 marked a turning point in how the league prioritizes safety. Two new rule changes—the Dynamic Kickoff and the ban on the hip-drop tackle—were introduced to reduce high-risk plays. Early results suggest meaningful progress in preventing concussions and lower-extremity injuries, both of which can carry long-term consequences for athletes.
Dynamic Kickoff: A Safer Start to the Game
Kickoffs have historically been among the most dangerous plays in football due to the high speeds and forceful collisions involved. In 2024, the NFL adopted the Dynamic Kickoff, which keeps only the kicker and two returners in motion until the ball touches the ground. By reducing sprinting distances before contact, the play is less chaotic and far less violent.
The change had measurable impact: concussions on kickoffs dropped by 43% compared to recent seasons, and overall lower-body strains also declined. Just as important, the play retained its excitement, with return rates increasing from historic lows. This balance of safety and entertainment led the league to make the rule permanent in 2025.
From a medical perspective, these results are encouraging. Every concussion prevented spares an athlete from the immediate symptoms of brain injury—headache, dizziness, confusion—and reduces the long-term risks tied to repeated head trauma, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Hip-Drop Tackle Ban: Protecting Lower Extremities
The second major rule change addressed the hip-drop tackle, a tackling technique where the defender swings their body weight onto the ball carrier’s legs. This maneuver has been shown to cause severe ankle and knee injuries at a rate nearly 20 times higher than other tackle types.
Beginning in 2024, the NFL banned this technique, classifying it as unnecessary roughness and attaching a 15-yard penalty. While in-game penalties were rare during the season, the league issued multiple fines and warnings, reinforcing its seriousness about removing this high-risk tackle from the sport.
Lower-extremity injuries—particularly those involving ligaments and tendons—can be devastating. For athletes, they often mean lengthy recovery, missed seasons, and in some cases, long-term limitations that extend beyond professional sports. Eliminating one of the leading causes is a significant step forward.
What These Changes Mean for Player Health
Taken together, the Dynamic Kickoff and hip-drop tackle ban represent a meaningful shift in professional football’s relationship with player health. By redesigning high-risk plays, the league is reducing both head and lower-limb injuries without compromising the competitiveness or thrill of the game.
As physicians, we know that prevention is always better than treatment. These rule changes align with that principle, addressing injury risks before they occur. While no rule can eliminate the inherent dangers of football, the data from 2024 suggests the NFL is moving in the right direction—making the game safer for today’s players and for generations to come.
References
Associated Press. (2025, January 30). New NFL season kicks off with permanent kickoff changes and more. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/23514547df9b0c16b9348ae54c62a9e5
CBS Sports. (2024, February 1). NFL bans controversial hip-drop tackle for 2024 season. CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-bans-controversial-hip-drop-tackle-for-2024-season-makes-change-to-challenge-rule/
NFL.com. (2025, January 15). Concussions decrease to historic low in 2024 season. NFL. https://www.nfl.com/news/concussions-decrease-historic-low-2024-dynamic-kickoff-lex-hip-drop-tackle
The post NFL Makes Progress in Protecting Players from Injury appeared first on Sports Medicine Weekly By Dr. Brian Cole.