Two years after mandating that players in certain position groups wear Guardian Caps during training camp and preseason practices in hopes of cutting down on concussions, the NFL this season is allowing any player to wear the padded shells over their helmets in games . The caps now come with a cover that bears the same colors and designs of a helmet so players still match their teammates. Advertisement The NFL is still collecting data on the impact of Guardian Caps, but entering the season, league officials said that the caps helped reduce concussions in preseason practices by nearly 50 percent.
According to the NFL, five to 10 players per week have opted to wear the Guardian Caps in games, but the majority of players prefer not to use the extra layer of protection. GO DEEPER Colts’ Granson to wear Guardian Cap in regular season According to The Athletic ’s second anonymous player poll , in which beat writers queried 110 players across the league on a wide range of topics, 65 of the 109 players who responded to this question oppose the idea of wearing Guardian Caps in games. Meanwhile, 31 players gave Guardian Caps in games a thumbs up in general, even if they aren’t necessarily wearing one, and the remaining 13 are undecided.
Most players who were against the Guardian Caps didn’t like the extra weight they add to their heads. “Thumbs down,” one player said. “Because I think, to me, it adds unnecessary weight to be hauling around the whole game.
” Added another.