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Detroit Lions ask NFL to push back trade deadline, modify injured reserve rules
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- Detroit Lions ask NFL to push back trade deadline, modify injured reserve rules
The Detroit Lions spearheaded a new third quarterback rule last year, and the team is sponsoring four proposals this spring, including ones to push back the trade deadline and modify injured reserve.
The Lions are one of six teams along with the Cleveland Browns , New York Jets , Philadelphia Eagles , San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders who proposed moving the trade deadline to the Tuesday after Week 10 games.
Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions gets carted off after a knee injury during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Jan. 7, 2024, in Detroit.
Currently, the trade deadline is the Tuesday after Week 8 of the regular season.
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The bylaw proposal is designed to provide "clubs with more roster options, specifically as it relates to player injuries," and to more closely align the NFL trade deadline with the deadlines for other major sports leagues.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have submitted a separate proposal to move the trade deadline back one week to the Tuesday after Week 9 games.
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All playing rules and bylaw proposals are scheduled to be voted on at the NFL's annual spring meeting March 24-27 in Orlando.
Last year, the Lions submitted a proposal to allow teams to dress a third quarterback for games and not have that player count against its gameday roster. The proposal was modified and passed in time for the 2023 season.
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Along with the trade deadline proposal, the Lions want owners to allow teams to retain their third challenge if one of their first two challenges is successful – currently, teams get a third challenge only if their first two challenges are successful – and proposed giving teams an unlimited number of designated-for-return transactions in the postseason and eliminating the rule a player must spend at least one day on the active roster following roster cuts to be eligible to return from injured reserve.
Detroit Lions executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes speak with media at the NFL combine at Indiana Convention Center, Feb. 27, 2024 in Indianapolis.
Under the current rules, teams can return eight players from injured reserve or the nonfootball injury or illness lists per season, including the postseason, and only if those players are on the 53-man roster after training camp cuts.
NFL teams also will consider rules changes to allow any foul to be challenged and discuss modifications to the kickoff rules at the meeting.
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Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions ask NFL to push back trade deadline, modify IR rules
