The NFL appears to have fixed concerns with the kickoff. Now the league will have to hope it doesn't break again.

A year after a major overhaul and six months after a seemingly minor tweak , teams have returned 78.3% of kickoffs during the first four weeks of the season -- the highest rate over that period in 19 years. The NFL has seen 519 kickoff returns, the most through Week 4 in its history.

Coaches have reacted strongly to moving the touchback from the 30-yard line in 2024 to the 35 this season, refusing to concede the additional 5 yards. The return rate has more than doubled from last season and has more than tripled the 2023 rate. Health data is not yet available, but if the concussion rate established during the first phase of the overhaul in 2024 carries over, the NFL will h

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