Burfict facing suspension

[Millhouse]

So here is what the official rule now states in the 2017 rule book itself.

ARTICLE 7. PLAYERS IN A DEFENSELESS POSTURE
It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture.

a. Players in a defenseless posture are:
A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass (passing posture)
A receiver running a pass route when the defender approaches from the side or behind. If the receiver becomes a blocker or assumes a blocking posture, he is no longer a defenseless player." - rule 12.2.7

then a bit further down in the rules:

b. Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is:
forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck, and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him


http://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/2017-nfl-rulebook/#article-7.-players-in-a-defenseless-posture