Video: Cardinals' DeeJay Dallas Scores 1st Kickoff Return TD Since NFL Rule Change

Featured Columnist IVSeptember 8, 2024

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 10: DeeJay Dallas #20 of the Arizona Cardinals runs the ball during the third quarter of a preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints at State Farm Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images)

Mike Christy/Getty Images

They dynamic kickoff has already resulted in a large majority of touchbacks. But it's also provided some memorable moments.

DeeJay Dallas provided the signature one, posting the first kick return touchdown in the history of the new kickoff format for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills:

NFL @NFL
THE FIRST DYNAMIC KICKOFF RETURN TOUCHDOWN. DEEJAY DALLAS. 96 YARDS. 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AZvsBUF?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AZvsBUF</a> on CBS/Paramount+ 📱: <a href="https://t.co/waVpO909ge">https://t.co/waVpO909ge</a> <a href="https://t.co/COYfonnYxR">pic.twitter.com/COYfonnYxR</a>

It wasn't the only notable kickoff on the afternoon, however.

There was Velus Jones Jr. muffing the play and unintentionally booting the ball to the Tennessee Titans:

Tennessee Titans @Titans
GOT IT RIGHT BACK! 📺: Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TENvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TENvsCHI</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> stream on NFL+ <a href="https://t.co/PiFmB9L0nU">pic.twitter.com/PiFmB9L0nU</a>

The Bears would get some retribution later in the game, however, as DeAndre Carter almost took one to the house:

Chicago Bears @ChicagoBears
DeAndre Carter with a 66 yd kick return ⚡️ 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TENvsCHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TENvsCHI</a> on FOX <a href="https://t.co/LGoT7YSpaq">pic.twitter.com/LGoT7YSpaq</a>

The touchbacks obviously aren't a popular result of the new rule changes, which were put in place for two reasons—to encourage more returns and to mitigate the inherent injury risks of the new format.

The full changes are explained here:

ESPN @espn
The NFL's new dynamic kickoff rules 👀 <a href="https://t.co/1N02SW7e4k">pic.twitter.com/1N02SW7e4k</a>

FOX Sports: NFL @NFLonFOX
Here's an in-depth breakdown of the new Dynamic Kickoff in the NFL this year ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/Rmgz652LOz">pic.twitter.com/Rmgz652LOz</a>

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The concern, of course, is that teams will simply settle for booting the ball out of the end zone rather than risk giving up a big return, even with the opponent getting the ball at the 30-yard line in such a scenario. That would essentially negate the reason for instituting the new rule in the first place, and was the general approach after the season opened with games on Thursday and Friday.

Thus, there has been a mixed reaction to the changes:

Jeff Darlington @JeffDarlington
With the first dynamic kickoff just returned for a TD by Arizona, it proves the new format does have potential for excitement. But will it also cause teams to simply settle for touchbacks? We explored the possibilities in this feature that aired today. Produced by Eric Dowling: <a href="https://t.co/5WWxj6Bk9c">pic.twitter.com/5WWxj6Bk9c</a>

Lance Zierlein @LanceZierlein
So much more exciting with the new kick off rule

Josh Norris @JoshNorris
dynamic kickoff is making week 1 more exciting that's a fact

MarkMaske @MarkMaske
Only five of 24 kickoffs, or 20.8 percent, have been returned through the first two games of the regular season, with the NFL's new kickoff format in effect.

Woody Paige @woodypaige
New NFL kickoff rule has become useless. Just kick into end zone.

Pete Prisco @PriscoCBS
Let's face it: new kickoff is a big bunch of nothing. Just eliminate kicks and play football

Sunday's games, at least, provided a few dynamic moments. Time will tell if the new rule makes the kickoff more exciting in the long term, but for now, the jury is still very much out.

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