September 10, 2024
Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season saw several players utilize the groundbreaking addition of ‘Guardian Caps’ as the league looks to protect stars from concussions moving forward.
The caps attach to the top of the helmet, providing an extra layer of padding with a soft shell which absorbs the initial contact. The equipment has been a regular feature in practices for NFL teams since 2022, with the likes of Jonathan Taylor wearing them in preseason.
Now, a handful of players have elected to wear the modified helmets in games, after the NFL signed off on the initiative back in April. According to the manufacturers, the caps reduce the impact of collisions by 33 percent and have led to a decrease in concussions by nearly 50 percent based on data collected in training camps over the past two years.
Olivia Culpo shows love for San Francisco 49ers as husband Christian McCaffrey recovers from injury
Los Angeles Rams make painful Puka Nacua decision after ‘significant’ injury
The caps may feel a little peculiar on top of the helmet, but it is undoubtedly worth it for the safety benefits for some. New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers, who tallied six tackles in the win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, has been one of the first players in the league to don the ‘Guardian Cap’.
“It’s really for those plays where you might not see a guy coming from the side and get incidental contact on your head,” Peppers told The Athletic. “But I don’t really feel anything with it, so I like that a lot. I’m a hitter, so the more protection I can get, why not? As long as it’s not impeding me or slowing me down, I don’t see why not.”
Peppers added if the temperature had been warmer he would have opted not to wear it. A sleeve is required to go over the cap, blocking out any air holes which leads to an increase in player temperature.
Other players who wore the caps to open the season included Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels, Indianapolis Colts tight end Kylen Granson and safety Rodney Thomas, as well as Tennessee Titans tight end Josh Whyle. Last week, Whyle told ESPN he decided to wear the cap after suffering a second concussion within a year during training camp.
“I can’t mess around anymore,” Whyle said. “I want to stay healthy and if this is what it takes, then I’m all for it.”
Due to fears over the long-lasting effects of concussions, the NFL has steadily adjusted its policies after initially downplaying head trauma concerns. In 1996, the NFL first banned helmet-to-helmet hits initiated by defenders, although the rules have become a lot stricter in the modern games.
Back in 2013, the NFL reached an $765 million agreement with a group of 4,500 former players after they sued the league on the grounds they had been misled over the long-term dangers of head injuries while playing.