What happens if a player fumbles the ball out of bounds?

When a player fumbles the ball out of bounds, the correct outcome is that the ball is returned to the last possession point unless penalties apply. This means that when the ball goes out of bounds after a fumble, the team that last had possession before the fumble retains the ball and is allowed to keep the momentum of their drive. The play is considered dead at the spot where the ball crossed the boundary line.

This rule is important because it prevents a team from losing possession unfairly simply because the ball went out of bounds after a fumble. Instead, the team that had control over the ball immediately before the fumble can continue its possession, potentially benefiting from any yards gained prior to the fumble. If any penalties had affected the play, they would be addressed, but in the absence of such factors, the game resumes from the last known spot of the possession.