NFL rule changes

[EEich]

*NFL owners adopted a 15-yard penalty for excessive celebrations. The penalty will be in addition to fines previously in place for choreographed and multiplayer celebrations. The infractions are considered unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The yardage will be marched off from the spot at the end of the previous play or, after a score, on the ensuing kickoff. If the infraction is flagrant, the player will be ejected;

*increased the size of practice squads from five to eight players;

*allowed head coaches or any player to call a timeout;

*extended the five-day period immediately after the season ends for interviewing assistant coaches to seven days, or the conclusion of the wild-card round. The policy also now will cover high-level front office positions;

*made a punt or missed field goal untouched by the receiving team a dead ball once it touches the end zone or touches a kicking team player in the end zone;

*modified free kick, fair catch and personal foul rules;

*allowed wide receivers to wear Nos. 10 through 19 even when numbers in the 80s are available.