Faking Injuries

One current problem in the National Football League is faking of injuries by a player or players on the defensive team to slow down play by an offensive team that has momentum and is driving for a score.

One way to deal with this is to require the injured player to sit out at least the remainder of the current series or the current series plus an additional series and possibly until the opposing team scores or the ball changes hands. If the player is truly hurt this is in the player's best interest. If the player is not hurt then the team and the player are both being penalized for faking injuries.

The 'injured' player could be placed in an area on the sidelines to receive treatment similar to a penalty box in hockey.The replay official or someone else in the replay box can keep track of the participation by the 'injured' player whether he is in a specified area or not. Not a lot of work will be required to track this..

Here are some other options (the fine has to be significant - maybe the player's salary for a game or $250K as an example):
Fine the team owner for every injury, and/ or
Fine the team head coach for every injury, and / or
Fine the individual player for every injury
Or something similar

If the player can't return to the game, assuming the 'injury' doesn't occur near the end of the game, or misses the following game then the fine is refunded.

One thing that will become clear quickly is that the team won't want to fake injuries because it is making it easier for the other team to score and possibly win the game plus it can get expensive. Thus the team faking the injuries may be eliminated from playoff contention and lose additional monies.

Complicated? Yea, maybe a little bit. But the coaches and players are forcing the league to do something to deal with this situation. If you don't like that something will have to be done then blame the coaches and or the players and pressure them to stop it now.

The league should immediately develop a plan with penalties and fines and implement it quickly. It appears that more teams are moving to speedier play and as a result there will be more injuries both legitimate and fake.