NCAA Considers Rule Change To Address Fake Injuries

Then-Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl is seen in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Oct. 7, 2023, in Laramie, Wyo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

A proposed rule change aimed at curbing the practice of faking injuries in college football is set to be discussed by the NCAA Football Rules Committee this month. Feigning injuries has increasingly been used as a tactic by teams to disrupt the flow of play, with some players going down on the field to prompt unwarranted timeouts.

The American Football Coaches Association has put forward a proposal that would require any player who receives medical attention on the field to sit out the remainder of that possession. Currently, players must only miss one play before being allowed to re-enter the game.

The proposal includes exceptions, such as allowing a player to return to the field during the same possession if a timeout is used, or if the injury was caused by a penalty. Players designated with a green dot on their helmets, indicating they can receive communication from the sideline, are also exempt from the rule.

Last season, the issue of feigned injuries gained significant attention in the Southeastern Conference, prompting the commissioner to issue a memo urging teams to cease such practices.

Exceptions include timeouts and injuries from penalties.

AFCA proposes injured players sit out remainder of possession.

Players with green dot on helmets exempt from rule.

If the AFCA's proposal is approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel in the spring, it could take effect as soon as next season. NCAA officials have expressed support for the rule change, with Division I conference officiating coordinators backing the initiative after viewing a video compilation of players faking injuries.

The video reportedly showcased instances where players simulated injuries, including one player who appeared to fake a cramp and was seen smiling as he was attended to by the trainer. The prevalence of fake injuries, particularly among rotational players like defensive linemen and running backs, has raised concerns about the integrity of the game.

Advocates of the rule change believe that by imposing stricter penalties for feigned injuries, coaches will be deterred from instructing players to engage in such behavior. The AFCA hopes that implementing this measure will help reduce instances of unethical conduct on the field.