Laterals
How Lateral Plays Are Scored
For most of NFL history, touchdowns scored involving a lateral are measured by the yardage gained by the person crossing the end zone, not the entire length of the play. Examples include the end of first half hook and ladder in the Epic in Miami and the River City Relay. In more recent box scores, all yardage is reported for the touchdown length. One example is the Miami Miracle where Drake only accrued 52 of the 69 total yards on the final touchdown.
From 1935 to 1949, lateral touchdowns were reported as distinct touchdown types. Outside of that span, touchdowns involving laterals are reported as the original play type (example: a pass play where the original receiver lateraled to a teammate who went on to score is reported as a passing TD from the original passer to the lateral pass receiver since they are the one who scored on the pass).
Because players receiving the ball on a lateral are not credited with a reception, it is possible for a player to have zero receptions and yet some number of receiving yards, such as Josh Allen's TD pass to himself on December 2, 2024.