Third Quarterback Rule Returns in 2023 After NFLPA Rejects

The NFL’s emergency third-quarter rule has reverted to its 2023 terms, the league confirmed Monday, after the NFL Players Association declined to approve recent changes that eased eligibility restrictions.

Like last season, teams can exempt their third quarterback from game-day roster restrictions only if he is on the 53-man roster that week. Owners approved a change in March that would allow teams to move practice squad quarterbacks up a level for that purpose. The rule, however, could be seen as a way to place players on practice squads rather than paying them the 53-man roster rate.

Teams were informed of the return to normal before Tuesday’s deadline to trim rosters to 53 players. They will still be able to bring in a third quarterback from the practice squad for games, but that player will count against the game-day roster limit.

The original intent of the rule was to reduce the risk of a team being without a healthy quarterback in a game, a situation the San Francisco 49ers faced in their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2022 NFC Championship Game.