Will kickoffs receive the boot from college football officials?

Perhaps.

CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd dropped interesting information Monday revealing that preliminary discussions have begun within “two influential college football bodies” about potentially eliminating kickoffs from the sport.

Here’s more from Dodd’s report:

Both the American Football Coaches Association’s board of trustees and the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee have at least had informal talks about the possibility.

The reason: player safety.

“I don’t think there is any doubt it is the most dangerous play in the game,” said Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, chairman of that oversight committee. “How much that’s the case and how we can fix it is unknown.”

Both entities are reviewing injury data to gauge the impact of kickoffs. Preliminary indications are that injuries occur at a higher rate on kickoffs, according to sources.

Dodd goes on to mention that any changes likely won’t happen until after the 2017 season. More discussions must take place, including with the NCAA rules committee.

Still, it’s not a stretch to envision a day when kickoffs don’t have a place within college football any longer. Kickoffs have come under increased scrutiny throughout various levels of football with greater attention paid to possible health risks involved with the sport.

The NFL has tinkered with kickoffs and touchbacks in recent years, with hopes of decreasing incidents of dangerous high-speed collisions. Perhaps one day, both the pros and college players won’t have to worry about the risks that come with kickoffs.