NFL exploring ways to make punts safer

Per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, the NFL is now concerned about the "disproportionate number of concussions" linked with kickoffs and punts. On Monday, the league's Competition Committee met with health and safety experts about potential changes that could be made for punts. 

"We really need to figure out that play, not just from an injury standpoint [but] penalties as well," NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said while speaking at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday. "But we have to break that down at every level — every block, every position — to see what we can come up [with] and do the analysis like we did a few years back on kickoffs." 

Vincent added that the NFL will consult with special teams coaches about how punt plays can be improved to decrease the potential for serious injuries. However, Alper wrote that "it's unclear exactly what path the league will take on punts at this point." 

It's long been rumored the NFL could eventually eliminate kickoffs, entirely, and instead have teams run what would essentially be fourth-down-and-15-yards-to-go plays instead of onside kicks when they wish to retain possession of the ball following a score. 

Punts are more complicated, though, as they are a necessary evil in practically every game.