During a recent rules training session, we discussed this situation: On a play where a forward pass crosses the neutral zone, A67 is guilty of being an ineligible receiver downfield if he runs two yards beyond the LOS and does not block anyone.
We all agreed 7-5.12 applied and there's no foul but weren't sure of the significance of the third sentence.
1) Ineligible A players may not advance beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight.
2) If B touches the pass in or behind the neutral zone, this restriction is terminated.
3) An ineligible is not illegally downfield if, at the snap, he immediately contacts a B lineman and the contact does not continue beyond the expanded neutral zone.
Does it mean an ineligible can be beyond the expanded neutral zone before the pass crosses the neutral zone as long as he immediately contacted a B lineman at the snap?