The NFL recently adopted a new rule and format change involving kickoffs this year.
This new format requires everyone but the kicker and the return man to stand still until the ball is received by the returner.
Additionally, the return team and the kickoff team will be separated within a few yards of each other on the return team’s side of the field.
This has required kickers like All-Pro Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens to worry about getting in shape.
“Now I got to get some more shrugs, get the traps going a little bit just to make sure I’m prepared for a little bit more contact,” Tucker told the Baltimore media, per Jamison Hensley.
Justin Tucker said he’s noticed XFL kickers have been involved in 25% of tackles with the new kickoff rule, which has led him to the weight room.
“Now I got to get some more shrugs, get the traps going a little bit just to make sure I’m prepared for a little bit more contact.” pic.twitter.com/h15QneSLeo
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) June 6, 2024
Tucker mentioned that kickers using this rule in other leagues have been involved in 25% of the tackles on kickoffs.
This will be an interesting situation for a player like Tucker, who is by most accounts the most valuable kicker in the league.
The eight-time All-Pro is the most accurate kicker in NFL history (90.2%).
It wouldn’t be shocking if head coach John Harbaugh told him to get out of the way on certain returns.
If Tucker were to get hurt, that would be a tough blow for a Super Bowl contender like Baltimore.
Think of Tucker’s leg like you would Aaron Rodgers’ arm.
If it gets dinged up in any way, it could prove to be a massive killer for the team.
But as long as the Super Bowl winner continues to add more weight on to his frame, he should be fine on kickoffs.
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