John,
By all means, set the play clock to 40. As previously noted, you certainly have rule support and bulletin direction to do so.
But, if there is any point to giving Team A 40 seconds to snap the ball when the game clock won’t start until the snap, I don’t know what it might be. And, if there is, why don’t we have a 40-second clock after all fouls by Team B (ahead in score), during the last 2 minutes of the half? (E.g., the given play, less the “”injury.”)
With the ‘encouragement’ that is being placed upon crews to reduce total game time, this would seem a good opportunity to use 3-4-3 and 9-2-2-c to speed the game without affecting the play of the game. I assure you, not a sole on either sideline will complain, or even know the difference.
Robert