Facing stiff resistance around the NFL, the tush push managed to move the chains and gain a fresh set of downs.

League owners narrowly failed to pass a proposal to prohibit the polarizing short-yardage strategy at their spring meetings in Eagan, Minn., on Wednesday, keeping the rulebook as is — and pleasing the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

The ban on offensive players from pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping or encircling a runner was supported by a 22-10 vote, according to multiple reports. That’s two votes short of the three-quarters majority required by league bylaws to pass it.

The health and safety committees for both the players and the owners and the league’s competition committee all unanimously recommended the proposal, which was formally brought forward by the Green Bay Packers at the previous league meetings in Florida seven weeks ago and tabled for further discussion. Such a ban previously existed and was lifted 20 years ago because it was deemed too difficult to consistently enforce.

“We don’t set a low bar,” said Atlanta Falcons chief executive officer Rich McKay, the chairman of the competition committee. “There was a lot of support for it, a lot of discussion about it. I’ve been in that room numerous times where we’ve had these types of discussions, where one team ends up being, in their mind, more impacted than others. It still takes 24 votes, and in this case those votes were not there.”

The Eagles brought former center Jason Kelce, one of the players who fueled the success of the tush push, to the meetings to provide a first-hand account of the play that assigns a teammate to push the backside of the quarterback for extra power behind a tight nine-man line.

Raiders’ Wilkins not close to return >> Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is facing an uncertain recovery process from a broken foot suffered last season and isn’t close to returning, Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll said.

Wilkins was at organized team activities practice, but did not participate. He received extra work on the side afterward.

“It’s been a difficult recovery and he’s done everything he needs to do,” Carroll said. “He’s not ready to get back out. We’re in the midst of a long, challenging process.”

Wilkins, 29, was the Raiders’ marquee free-agent signing last year, agreeing to a four-year, $110 million contract with $82.75 million guaranteed.

He was expected to bolster a defensive line led by pass rushers Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce after making a career-high nine sacks in 2023 with Miami to go with his elite run-stopping ability. All three linemen, however, suffered season-ending injuries.

Wilkins had two sacks and 17 tackles in five games before injuring his foot, which required surgery. He suffered a Jones fracture — a break of the bone that connects the pinkie toe to the base of the foot.

Colts Owner Irsay dies at 65 >> Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts’ owner who leveraged the popularity of Peyton Manning into a new stadium and a Super Bowl title, died at age 65.

Pete Ward, Irsay’s longtime right-hand man and the teams chief operating officer, made the announcement in a statement from the team. He said Irsay died peacefully in his sleep.

“Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed,” Ward said. “Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.”

Titans sign Ward to contract >> The Tennessee Titans have known they wanted Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall draft pick for a long time, and now they have their rookie quarterback signed to his first NFL contract.

The Titans announced that Ward has signed his deal but did not share financial details. Ward’s deal is worth reportedly $48.7 million over four years.

The 6-foot-2, 219-pound Ward played 57 games over five seasons starting at Incarnate Word in 2020, Washington State in 2022 and then his final year in college last season at Miami. He finished with career 18,184 yards passing and set a Division I record with 158 touchdown passes.

Bills tabbed for Hard Knocks >> The reigning NFL MVP will be a featured attraction this season on the league’s training camp documentary, with the Buffalo Bills making their first appearance on “Hard Knocks.”

The New York Giants will get another shot, too, after their uncomfortable debut.

The NFL announced at the spring owners meetings that the Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, were selected for the behind-the-scenes show on HBO that’s in its 25th year. The five-part series will air on Tuesdays beginning on Aug. 5.

The NFC East was also picked as the featured division on the in-season show, with filming of the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles set to air in December.