NFL owners on Wednesday approved eliminating overtime in preseason games and expanded selection of jersey numbers for receivers, running backs and defensive backs.

The league also will allow on-field officials to get certain “objective information” from the replay official and designated members of the officiating department “when clear and obvious video evidence is present.”

Owners also approved establishing a maximum number of players in the setup zone (between 10 and 25 yards from the kickoff) on onside kicks in hopes of enhancing onside kick opportunities. Defending teams will be limited to nine players in that zone.

Increasing available numbers was a matter of necessity, Vincent and McKay explained. With 16 practice players, some of whom can be active on game day, plus retired numbers, teams found themselves in need of more options.

The league announced that its 2021 schedule, the first with a 17-game regular season, will be released May 12.