3rd and 10, A is on their own 10. All eleven players from A break the huddle as the RFP is being blown. They go to the line where the OLinemen get set, but the QB does not put his hands under the center and the snapper has not yet put his hands on the ball. Just then, a slot WR realizes he's not supposed to be in the game. He runs in a direct, diagonal line from his offensive position (there were no DBs near enough to him to result in any defensive movement or contact), through the ENZ, into B's backfield, and into the team box, where his substitute crosses paths with him towards the play.
What do you have?
Rule 3-7-5 eliminates the problem with the entering substitute, but 7-1-6 appears to have some contradiction with 2-1-8.
7-1-6: Following the ready-for-play and after the snapper has placed his hand(s) on the ball, encroachment occurs if any other player breaks the plane of the neutral zone.
2-1-8: Encroachment occurs when a player is illegally in the neutral zone during the
time interval starting when the ball is marked ready for play and until the ball is
snapped or free kicked.
So which is it?