PHILADELPHIA — The NFL looked into how a ball became deflated and put into play during the Steelers’ preseason game here Thursday night against the Eagles, and not much else came of it.
According to a report from an Eagles flagship station WIP sideline reporter, the ball in question was taken out of play in the third quarter following a Mason Rudolph incompletion. It was taken by a ball boy and turned over to NFL officials.
Michael Signora, NFL vice president of football communications, issued this statement in response: "All footballs were in compliance with NFL rules following the pregame inspection process and all proper procedures were followed. In the third quarter, a football that was found to be defective was removed from play and will be sent back to Wilson for review."
Wilson is the league's official manufacturer of footballs.
The NFL has new rules in place on how balls are monitored following the “Deflategate” incident of a few years ago, when the Patriots were found to have deflated some balls during the AFC Championship Game. That incident resulted in Tom Brady being suspended for four games.