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There is such a rule, but the Rules Book is vague, in my opinion.
Here's what it says:
Rule: 2-32-16
ART. 16 . . . A defenseless player is a player who, because of his physical position and focus of concentration, is especially vulnerable to injury.
Which applies to this:
Rule: 9-4-3g
ART. 3 . . . No player or nonplayer shall:
g. Make any other contact with an opponent, including a defenseless player, which is deemed unnecessary or excessive and which incites roughness.
That's all it says, so obviously there is plenty of room for interpretation. Most training on the topic involves hits to the head or with the head to players who are not in a position to protect themselves. A shoulder to the chest or a good form tackle shouldn't draw a flag on a defenseless receiver, but a blow up hit might.