throws the ball, there is protection for the DB against pass interference because the DB is blocking the receiver. If not every team would just line up to punt then throw the ball up to a blocked receiver for an automatic first down.

Would like to see a similar rule for a pooch kick. The DB has his back turned, there is no return man to warn him of the play and if it hits him he doesn’t even know it’s live. He probably assumes it was a pass he broke up.