Player running OOB

[patalia]

Originally Posted by Illini_Ref

A little twist.

B3 runs OOB, does not come back in, but as a pass nears the sideline, he jumps, bats the pass down, and lands OOB.

I can't be Illegal Participation because he never returned to the field of play during the down. He is still defined as a player because he was one of 22 who started the down. Could he be flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for leaving the field of play without authorization to gain an advantage? That is all I can find.

I don't recall there being any restrictions on B for running out of bounds on a play when it is not intentionally done. Are you asking about B running OOB on purpose? If so, I still don't know what advantage could be gained here except possibly to bait a pass to a seemingly wide open receiver. If so, maybe you have something.