New rule: NFL teams to have third QB active on game days without using roster spot

The NFL has moved to avoid another quarterback debacle like the one that plagued the San Francisco 49ers in this past year's NFC Championship Game.

NFL owners approved a bylaw proposal on Monday at the Spring League Meeting allowing clubs to dress a third QB without using an active roster spot on game days, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported, per sources informed of the decision.

The league cited on Monday "integrity of game" as the chief reason for the rule change.

SNIP

The emergency quarterback rule came to the forefront this offseason after the 49ers, already riddled with signal-caller injuries, saw starter Brock Purdy injure his elbow on the first series of the NFC title game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Backup Josh Johnson sustained a concussion in the third quarter. That forced Purdy to re-enter the contest, but the quarterback couldn't do more than toss two short passes. The quandary left the Niners' offense dead in the water, and the Eagles ran away with the conference title.

LINK: nfl.com/news/nfl-owners-pass-proposal-to-allow-teams-to-have-third-qb-active-on-game-days-wit

According to the link, the league previously had a third-quarterback rule in effect from 1991-2010 before doing away with the option.

Good news for journeymen quarterbacks.