Insider shares if NFL will change how players report as eligible

Following the fiasco that was the final moments of Saturday's game involving the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, NBC Sports' Peter King suggested that the NFL should clarify the rule regarding how players report as eligible pass-catchers. 

It appears no such change is coming this offseason. 

"Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL does not plan to change the procedure for players reporting as eligible," Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on Monday. "The league views the situation as an effort by the Lions to engage in deception and gamesmanship that backfired." 

Detroit trailed Dallas, 20-19, with 23 seconds remaining in regulation of Saturday's game when Lions head coach Dan Campbell sent his offense onto the field for a two-point conversion try. Detroit offensive lineman Dan Skipper, offensive tackle Taylor Decker and a third lineman approached referee Brad Allen before the snap, and Allen deemed Skipper rather than Decker as eligible. Thus, Decker's catch in the end zone was negated because he allegedly didn't properly report to an official. 

"Basically, the Lions wanted the Cowboys to think Skipper was reporting as eligible and that Decker was not," Florio continued. "Which would have caused the Cowboys to cover Skipper, not Decker, when the play unfolded. The problem is that, in trying to confuse the Cowboys, the Lions confused Allen."

King proposed in the latest edition of his "Football Morning in America" column that only players reporting as eligible should be permitted to approach the referee before a snap beginning next season. Florio mentioned that the NFL instead wants it known that it's up to players and coaches to know how to report "the right way" as the rule currently exists. 

"If they deliberately confuse the situation as a matter of strategy, they have to accept the consequences of potentially confusing the officials, too," Florio added. 

Per Eric Woodyard of ESPN, Campbell insisted on Monday his Lions are "not going to feel sorry for ourselves and wallow in everything" following Saturday's events. 

"So, we will use this as fuel," Campbell said. "I've got pure octane right now. I woke up, I'm ready. So, we're moving forward."

For what it's worth, the Lions and Cowboys could meet again during the upcoming postseason tournament.