if the 3rd qb is put in the game, the 1st and 2nd can't come in again?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

And I believe the emergency quarterback does not have to follow the numbering requirement for the quarterback position? I think that's another "qualification" for an emergency quarterback. Just something I noticed in the past...maybe it's changed since.

NFL rules say they have this numbering requirement by position, but there's no definition of the positions and no good way of defining them without constraining the game more than they want to. Other than observing the in/eligible receiver numbering for team A scrimmaging, there's no rule requiring players to line up in certain places depending on their uniform number. So really it's just an unenforced convenience for the audience. I think the league does say that if you've consistently played someone at a certain position, they can make you change his number to a more appropriate one if necessary for future games.

Could you imagine if linebacker 59 set to blitz inside, and they got an illegal formation call?!

Robert