Those large, padded helmet covers NFL players wear during practices and training camps appear to be working, as NFL executive vice president, Jeff Miller, who over sees player health and safety, said the Guardian Caps are significantly reducing concussions.
According to Miller, players at positions wearing Guardian Caps have seen a 52 percent decrease in concussions compared to concussions rates of players at the same positions over the last three years of training camps when Guardian Caps weren't worn.
The results have seen more NFL players wearing the caps and wearing them longer into the preseason. The NFL currently has no plans to use the Guardian Caps during games.
The NFL has mandated the expanded use of Guardian Caps in all preseason, regular season and post-season contact practices — opposed to just preseason last year. The NFL is also expanding which position groups will be required to wear the Caps. Positions with the most head contact will be mandated to wear the Caps — adding running backs and fullbacks to previously included linemen and linebackers.
