NFL to consider replay assist for face mask penalties, other plays - ESPN

IRVING, Texas — The NFL will consider expanding replay assist to include face mask penalties and other plays.

Officials have missed several obvious face mask penalties this season, including two in a three-week span during Thursday night games.

«When we see it, because I see it like yourselves and the fans, I have an opportunity to see it from a different angle and see it from a slo-mo,» NFL executive Troy Vincent said Wednesday at the league's winter meetings.

«When you think about the position of where the officials are, things are happening so fast. Sometimes the face mask can be the same color as the gloves. There's a lot happening. Concerning? Yes, because that's a big miss. That's a big foul. That's why we would like to consider putting that for the membership to consider putting that foul category that we can see, putting that [penalty flag] on the field to help. There is a frustration, and we believe that is one category we can potentially get right.»

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was grabbed by his face mask and brought down in the end zone to end the Minnesota Vikings' comeback attempt against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 24. But there was no call.

On Oct. 3, officials missed a face mask on Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving while he ran for 7 yards late in the fourth quarter. Tampa Bay instead was called for holding on the play, got forced out of field goal range and Kirk Cousins rallied the Atlanta Falcons to an overtime victory.

«That is one this year, the face mask seems like it was the obvious one» Vincent said. «That keeps showing up.»

Vincent also cited hits on a defenseless player, tripping, fair catches, an illegal batted ball, an illegal double-team block, illegal formations on kickoffs