The NFL wants to further improve player safety and is therefore introducing suspensions after three dangerous violations.

The NFL and the players’ union, the NFLPA, have revised the disciplinary system for on-field violations. Going forward, particularly dangerous techniques will be punished more severely.

Blindside Blocks & More: The Five Offenses

The new rule focuses on five offenses that the NFL and NFLPA consider to pose a particularly high risk of injury: hip-drop tackles, horse-collar tackles, launching, hits on unprotected players, and blindside blocks.

The new system is designed to distinguish more clearly between isolated infractions and repeated dangerous behavior. If a player commits three infractions from the aforementioned categories during a season, a one-game suspension will be automatically imposed.

At the same time, there is also a concession: Anyone who violates one of the relevant rules only once during the entire season will have the fine fully refunded at the end of the season.

The NFL and NFLPA have issued a joint statement explaining their new fine policies with a focus on health and safety. pic.twitter.com/S4bWizhERX

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 26, 2026

In principle, violations can also have implications for future seasons. For the 2026 season, however, all players will start with a “clean slate”

NFL Coaches Held Accountable

The changes don’t just affect the players. If a pro player nears the threshold for a suspension, his coach will also be required to participate in a meeting with the NFL. With this measure, the league and the players’ union aim to distribute responsibility for safety more evenly among players, coaches, and organizations.

The teams themselves may also face financial penalties. Teams with an excessive number of violations of health and safety rules can expect higher financial penalties.

With this reform, the NFL and NFLPA aim to prevent individual mistakes during a game from carrying disproportionate weight. Instead, repeated actions that pose a particularly high risk to the health of other players will be sanctioned.