NFL owners ponder new-look OT for regular season, approve safety rules

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The NFL has passed rules to further protect defenseless players, including ball carriers who lose their helmet during a play.

Seven of the eight rules proposals were approved Wednesday by the 32 owners.

Several owners said they also expect the modified overtime rule for the playoffs that passed on Tuesday to be revisited in May to include the regular season.

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said there is "a strong consensus for expanding [the new overtime rules] into regular season."

Among the rules proposals approved, no longer can a defenseless player be hit in the head or neck area by an opponent who launches himself and uses his helmet, shoulder or forearm to make contact.

NFL rules also now will echo those in college for when a player running with the ball loses his helmet. The whistle will blow immediately and the ball will be placed at the "progress spot" where the helmet came off.

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