Amid the ongoing quest to improve player safety, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent revealed that the league is exploring a potential rule change that would aid that effort.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Vincent said Wednesday that the league is looking to outlaw low blocks, saying, "Every block should be above the knee but below the neck. … This is the right time to remove the low block out of the game."

Vincent added that the NFL plans to examine the onside kick just one year after adjusting the rules.

Lower-body injuries have long been an issue in the NFL, and the league has already taken steps to reduce the frequency of these occurrences by outlawing the hip-drop tackle and penalizing chop blocks and cut blocks. Making any block below the knee illegal would force players to adjust their techniques to make the game safer for one another.

As part of the sweeping changes to minimize the danger of kickoff returns, the NFL also made adjustments to the onside kick rules for the 2024 season. Onside kicks are only allowed in the fourth quarter of games and the team that does it has to be trailing and must declare its intentions, removing the element of surprise from the play.

Per Pelissero, Vincent expressed "an openness to seriously considering alternatives to the onside kick," including a single offensive play that would allow a team to retain possession. Vincent said proposals for potential alternatives have gained support in recent years.

Vincent also told reporters that facemask penalties are among the plays that could be under consideration to be included in the expansion of replay assist. Pelissero explained that this would be a significant departure from the league's previous philosophies, stating, "The competition committee long has opposed 1) Making subjective fouls subject to replay review; and 2) Allowing penalties to be called by officials who aren't on the field. This would be both. It's ultimately up to owners whether they'll support the committee's recommendations."