<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs attention from an expert on the subject . Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the article . When placing this tag, consider associating this request with a WikiProject . (January 2012) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs attention from an expert on the subject . Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the article . When placing this tag, consider associating this request with a WikiProject . (January 2012) </Td> </Tr> <P> In gridiron football, the utility player is often capable of playing multiple positions, and often they may play both offense and defense . The concept was far more common in the early days of football, when pro teams used their best athletes as many ways as possible, and substitutions were far more restricted, meaning players had to stay on the field for offense, defense and "special teams". This was known as the one - platoon system . </P> <P> The triple threat man, who could run, pass and kick, was particularly popular during the early days of football from the time the forward pass was invented to the World War II era (see, for instance, Bradbury Robinson, Tommy Hughitt, Sammy Baugh and, during his college years, Johnny Unitas). Most levels of football lifted the substitution restrictions during the post-World War II era in the late 1940s, beginning with "platooning" (use of different offensive and defensive units) and eventually transitioning to complete free substitution . Chuck Bednarik, a center and linebacker, was the last full - time two way player in the NFL, having retired in 1962 . Despite this, the American Football League of the 1960s frequently used players at multiple positions, particularly kickers and punters (e.g. George Blanda, Paul Maguire, Cookie Gilchrist, Gino Cappelletti, and Gene Mingo, a running back who became the first black placekicker in modern professional football, among others). Because of increased injury risk awareness, since the AFL - NFL merger these types of players are increasingly rare, and true utility players usually end up specializing in one position (for example, Lane Johnson played quarterback, tight end, defensive end and offensive tackle through college but was tagged specifically at offensive tackle when drafted into the NFL). Those that do play multiple positions for any extended period of time are mostly backups (e.g. Guido Merkens, Brad Smith and Joe Webb) or career minor - league players (e.g. Don Jonas, Eric Crouch and Charles Puleri). It is still very common in smaller high schools to see top players play two or even three ways (offense, defense and special teams), in multiple positions, but in college and pro ball, where rosters are larger and the talent pool is more elite, the injury risk outweighs potential benefits . </P>

Can you play 2 positions in the nfl