Ravens and NFL Rule Changes: New Jersey Number, TNF, Guardian Hats

Several rule changes will be enacted for the 2023 NFL season.

The number “0” is now eligible to be used on jerseys, a change proposed by the Philadelphia Eagles. You won’t see it on linemen on either side of the ball but all other players are allowed to utilize the number.

The Baltimore Ravens equipment room could be fielding calls from players trying to put in a claim for the new number. Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman wore No. 0 while at Minnesota but tweeted that he would stick with No. 7. 

But other NFL players are also excited about the new number...  

Jacksonville Jaguars star wideout Calvin Ridley has already announced he will be taking advantage of the new number. New England Patriots cornerback Jack Jones changed his Twitter name to “0” and dubbed himself an “Agent Zero” in his bio.

Kickers and punters are also now allowed to use any jersey number between 0-49 and 90-99.

More changes for Baltimore are coming.  

Ravens president Sashi Brown offered an update on the proposed renovations to the team's home of M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore re-upped its lease with its 70,745-seat dwelling through 2037 in January. Brown said that in 2024 and 2025 there will be big and modern changes made to the stadium. 

The Guardian Caps that were worn during NFL training camps last season will now be required for every preseason practice, regular season and postseason practice with contact. Lineman, linebackers, running backs and fullbacks are the players required to wear the caps.

The rule is changed from last season when players were only required to wear the caps until the second preseason game. The research is clear: The impact of helmet-to-helmet hits are reduced by around 20 percent when two players are wearing the cap.

Proposed by the competition committee, the NFL has clarified use of the helmet against an opponent by removing the “butt, ram, spear” language. New language expands the rule against using the helmet as a weapon, making it a foul if a player uses "any part of his helmet or facemask to butt or make forcible contact to an opponent's head or neck area."

A 15-yard penalty will continue to be called if a player lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent. The league expects most of the penalties will be called on players in space. The rule also includes an exception for "incidental contact by the mask or the helmet in the course of a conventional tackle or block on an opponent."

Two other notable changes: The definition of a launch is now leaving one or both feet, and the penalty for tripping is increased to 15 yards from 10 and is a personal foul.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not a fan of the NFL's new Thursday Night Football rule change, which allows teams to play on Thursday twice per season. The reigning Super Bowl champions are the favorites to win the Super Bowl again and will likely be featured in many prime-time games.

Teams were previously limited to one appearance on TNF. It is a hot topic in the league because of the abbreviated recovery time for players between games.

A rule to watch: The rugby scrum style play when multiple teammates push a ball carrier from behind did not get banned but will remain under review heading into the May meeting.

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