Lost Helmet by Defender?

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

And, according to the interpretation I heard at a clinic this spring, if the player's helmet comes off and he puts his helmet back on, at that point he can rejoin the play. He will still be required to sit out the next down, however.

Not per the latest CFO memo. Once his helmet comes off, he's out of the play. They changed the language of the rule slightly and modified the ruling.

This is from the memo:

9-1-17
“A player whose helmet comes completely off during a down may not continue to participate beyond the immediate action in which he is engaged, whether or not he puts his helmet back on during the down.”

NOTE: This requires a change in Play 12 of the Helmet Comes Off—Play Situations, posted March 21, 2012. That play now reads:

12. During a down B55’s helmet comes off without a helmet foul by Team A. B55 immediately picks up his helmet, puts it on and continues to chase the ball carrier.

RULING: Personal foul by B55 for continuing to participate after losing his helmet. The clock stops at the end of the down and B55 must leave the game for the next down.