NFL owners approve proposal to allow third active quarterback

NFL teams will have the freedom to include a third active quarterback on game day in case of emergency after the league owners approved a bylaw proposal at the Spring League Meeting on Monday, NFL Network reported.

The NFL pointed out “integrity of the game” as the main reason for the rule change, which follows the San Francisco 49ers‘ debacle in January’s NFC championship game, where they lost their starting and backup quarterbacks with injuries and were ultimately crushed 31-7 by the Philadelphia Eagles because of that.

From now on teams may designate the third quarterback if he is included on their 53-man roster, as practice squad players will not be eligible even if they are elevated to the active roster during the week of the game.

NFL owners have approved a bylaw that will allow teams to dress a third quarterback for games without having to use a roster spot on that player. So that means Mason Rudolph will be able to dress on game day this season. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/CqVmCpTDXn

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The third quarterback will alson not count as one active player on game day, but will only be allowed to enter the game due to injury or ejection of the other quarterbacks and not by technical decision.