The NFL Has Reportedly Instituted A ‘Kendall Hinton Rule’
Nothing about the 2020 NFL season has been normal. It’s only fitting that the league adjusts some rules to fit the abnormal circumstances.
As of Saturday afternoon, the NFL has instituted the “Kendall Hinton Rule.” This new wrinkle in the league’s regulations allows teams that are without a quarterback due to COVID-19 protocols to sign a player off another team’s practice squad the week of a game. As long as the replacement QB followed proper COVID-19 regulations with his prior team, he would not have to go through another isolation period.
ESPN NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported the rule change on Twitter.
Call this one The Kendall Hinton Rule: If another team loses all its QBs late in the week of a game because of COVID protocols, it now could sign a QB off another team’s practice squad and start him on Sunday. The change is effective immediately. https://t.co/LrP9JWUePl
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 19, 2020
The “Kendall Hinton Rule” gets its name from the sticky situation that the Denver Broncos found themselves in earlier this season. Ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup with the Saints, the Broncos were completely quarterbackless after a no-mask debacle in the QB room. As a result, Denver was forced to start undrafted rookie receiver Kendall Hinton at quarterback.
The game went about exactly how you’d expect. Hinton threw 1/9 for 13 yards and two interceptions en route to a 31-3 blowout loss.
While it’s already too late for the Broncos, the NFL is clearly hoping to avoid anything else like this happening in the future.
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