NFL memo to teams: faking injuries is illegal

Two days after former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said his team faked injuries, the NFL sent a memo to all 32 teams Thursday reminding them that the tactic is illegal, a source confirmed to the Sun-Times.

The NFL can fine teams and individual players for the act, as was the case last year, when Emmanuel Sanders was docked $15,000 and the Steelers $35,000 when he pretended to be hurt to try to stop the clock on offense.

Urlacher said Tuesday the Bears had a designated coach who would signal for players to fall to the ground in order to stop play, and the momentum of hurry-up offenses.