With the revived 'dead play,' the NFL estimates that more than half of all kickoffs will be returned this season. The goal is to increase the number of returns without making it more dangerous.
The NFL's new kickoff rule will debut when the preseason opens Thursday night, with the Chicago Bears facing the Houston Texans.
For a standard kickoff, the ball is kicked from the 35-yard line, and the 10-kick coverage players are lined up at the opposing 40, five on each side of the field. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also will result in a touchback at the 30.
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