Another question regarding the new helmet-coming-off the non-runner rule:
The new rule says the player must come out for a play when, "the helmet comes completely off DURING THE DOWN without being directly attributable to a foul by an opponent."
A down is defined in 2-7-1 as "action which starts with a legal snap (beginning a scrimmage down)...A down end when the ball next becomes dead."
So, that tells me that if A74 is blocking B88 and A12 runs out of bounds and a moment later A74's helmet comes completely off NOT due to a foul, the down was over before A74's helmet came off and he does NOT have to come out for a down.
However, in the case book, under 3-5-10 Situation E (e), if the helmet comes off a player after falling to the ground "immediately following the ball becoming dead due to a score or going out of bounds" the ruling is that the player must be replaced for one down.
I guess the key word is "immediately," but it seems a bit vague. What if the helmet comes off because of A74 engagement with B88 but 1) a half second 2) full second after the whistle indicating A12 is OOB? The ball was dead and down was technically over before the whistle.
Thoughts?