The NFL and the NFL Players Association have passed some new rules without the help of a crippling lockout, which is a nice change. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports on Twitter that the two sides have agreed on changes to the NFL trade deadline and a new rule regarding injured reserve.

Instead of the usual Week 6, the NFL trade deadline will now be pushed back to the Tuesday following Week 8. This was a move that was made hopefully to bring about more trading action. SB Nation's Joel Thorman has some more on why this happened:

The problem with having it early is that most teams still believe they have a shot in Week 6 and are therefore unwilling to part with star players. By moving it back two weeks we could see more action.

The changes to injured reserve say that one player each season can be brought back later in the season after being placed on injured reserve. In short, it will likely be used on high-impact players when they go down for a considerable amount of time. Teams don't want to lose those players for the whole season but still need that roster spot.

According to Schefter, players with a major injury who are placed on IR after 4 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Sept. 4 or later will be eligible to be reactivated at a later time.