Report: NFL to look at protecting defensive players, update on L.A. franchise

During a town hall meeting with Denver Broncos season-ticket holders before the AFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed several issues plaguing the league. 

Among those of chief concern is player safety and getting rid of low blocks like the one that ended the season of Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, according to NFL.com. Goodell said that issue was high on the league's list of things to do after the season.  Also, the rule against a player "launching" himself at another player may be eliminated completely.

When it comes to placing an NFL franchise in Los Angeles, Goodell said that stadium concerns have been holding the league back from putting a team in the area, but adds it is more realistic that a team could be put there soon. Los Angeles has not had an NFL team in the area since the Raiders and Rams left after the 1994 season.

"Whether that happens in five years, I don't know," Goodell said. "The last thing we want to do is come back to Los Angeles and have it fail."