NFL owners have tabled voting on the Green Bay Packers' proposal to ban the tush push in order to have further discussion, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Even though the league has said there haven't been any injuries reported as a result of the tush push, the potential risk involved in the Philadelphia Eagles' version of the quarterback sneak has sparked intense discussions.
The league, on Sunday, presented the injury risk of the push sneak based on data modeling, saying defensive players are at risk while launching head-first, and offensive linemen at risk because of their bent posture operating in a narrow window, which could lead to neck injuries.
The Packers, who lost to the Eagles in a wild-card playoff game, also cited pace of a play as a reason to consider eliminating the play. Rams coach Sean McVay is against it. Los Angeles also lost to Philadelphia in the playoffs. Bills coach Sean McDermott is leading the push to get rid of it even though Buffalo used it more than any team other than the Eagles.
"I feel where I'm most concerned is, even though there is not significant data out there to this point, my biggest concern is the health and safety of the players, first and foremost," McDermott said at the league meetings on Monday. "It's two things. It's force, added force, No. 1, and then the posture of the players, being asked to execute that type of play, that's where my concern comes in. ... I'm not a doctor. I'm not going to get too deep into that situation there, in terms of how much data, how much sample. I don't think that's really always the best way to go. There is other data out there that suggests when you're in a posture like we're talking about, that can lead to serious injury. I think being responsible and proactive in that regard is the right way to go."
The Eagles began using the play in short-yardage situations in 2022. Two or three players line up behind quarterback Jalen Hurts and push him forward. Several other teams, including the Bills, began using it but no team has matched Philadelphia's success rate.
This is the third offseason that the competition committee has reviewed the play, but the first time a club has submitted a rules proposal aimed at eliminating or restricting it.
The Eagles and Bills have scored a touchdown or achieved a first down on 87% of their attempts using the play, while the rest of the NFL has been successful on just 71%, per ESPN Research.
ESPN's Kalen Kahler and The Associated Press contributed to this report.