How many forward passes can an NFL team throw on one play?

One. The offense may make one forward pass from behind the line during each down.

Can a quarterback catch his own batted pass and throw it again?

He can catch it, but throwing it forward again is a second forward pass. The rulebook's approved ruling A.R. 8.31 calls that an illegal forward pass.

RULE DECODEROctober 11, 20262 min read

An NFL Offense Gets One Forward Pass Per Down. A Second One Costs 5 Yards And The Down.

The NFL rulebook allows the offense one forward pass from behind the line on each down. A second one is five yards and loss of down, and backward passes are not limited the same way.

Rule 8, Section 1, Article 2 says the offensive team may make one forward pass from behind the line during each down.

What makes a forward pass illegal

01The passer's entire body and the ball are beyond the line of scrimmage when the ball is released
02It is a second forward pass thrown from behind the line
03It is thrown after the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage and returned behind it
04It is thrown after a change of possession

The penalty

For a second forward pass from behind the line, or for a forward pass that was thrown after the ball returned behind the line: Loss of down and five yards from the previous spot.

A forward pass from beyond the line is loss of down and five yards from the spot where the ball is released. Approved Ruling A.R. 8.31 treats a quarterback who has his pass batted back into his hands and shovels it forward again as a second forward pass.

Backward passes

Rule 8, Section 7, Article 1 says a runner may throw a backward pass at any time. That is why a play can include a backward pass to a receiver who then throws the offense's one forward pass downfield.

Quick answers

How many forward passes can an NFL team throw on one play?: One. The offense may make one forward pass from behind the line during each down.
What is the penalty for a second forward pass?: Loss of down and five yards from the previous spot.
Can a quarterback catch his own batted pass and throw it again?: He can catch it, but throwing it forward again is a second forward pass. The rulebook's approved ruling A.R. 8.31 calls that an illegal forward pass.
Are backward passes limited?: Not by this rule. Rule 8, Section 7, Article 1 says a runner may throw a backward pass at any time.

Sources

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