December 16, 2024
Romeo Doubs returned from a two-game absence and had an immediate impact for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Packers wide receiver caught a bullet from Jordan Love in tight coverage and then muscled his way into the end zone late in the first quarter. His touchdown gave the Packers a 14-0 lead.
Doubs later caught his second touchdown in the fourth quarter, a score that iced the game for the Packers in their 30-13 win.
Doubs looked like his old self after being sidelined with a concussion for the last few weeks. He had been in concussion protocol since leaving the Packers’ game against the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 24.
But Doubs’ appearance did look different on Sunday night. He was wearing a Guardian Cap for the first time in a regular season game in his career.
Why was he wearing a Guardian Cap? Here’s what to know.
What is a Guardian Cap?
It’s a soft-shell cover over the helmet that is intended to reduce concussions and head injuries on the field, acting as another buffer.
Guardian Cap history with the NFL
Guardian Caps have become more common in the NFL in recent years, as the league and players look to address head injuries and remain safer on the field.
They first were seen on practice fields in 2020. The use of Guardian Caps continued to grow with 23 teams purchasing the caps before the 2021 season.
The NFL expanded the use of Guardian Caps in 2022 with offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends and linebackers required to wear them during the early part of training camp.
The league added running backs and fullbacks to the list of required players to wear the Guardian Caps during preseason, regular seaosn and postseason contact practices.
And the NFL added receivers and defensive backs for the list of players required Guardian Caps during this time. Players, on their own, can wear them in games.
Guardian Cap data
According to the NFL,the Guardian Cap has been effective and reduced concussions by 52%.
“Physics say that an outer “soft” material of the proper density, stiffness and energy absorbing properties reduces the initial severity of the impact,” Guardian’s website says. “The hard shell then has lower forces transmitted to it, and in turn conveys lower forces to the interior soft helmet padding and then lower forces to the head.”