Guardian Caps are soft, protective helmet covers that the NFL has authorized players to wear during games this season in order to reduce head injuries. While several players have opted to wear them over the first seven weeks, Tua Tagovailoa, like many other NFL players, has stated that he will not wear the headgear upon his return from his latest concussion. Players have cited reasons such as comfort and aesthetics for choosing not to wear them.
The NFL has made it mandatory for most players to use the caps during contact practices since 2022, with quarterbacks, kickers, and punters being the only position groups exempt from wearing them during contact practices. There are six types of helmets approved by the league that players can wear during contact practices without needing the Guardian Caps.
Tagovailoa has received clearance from medical experts to resume playing for the Miami Dolphins following his recent concussion during a collision with Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin in Week 2. If he successfully completes the NFL’s concussion protocol after practicing on Wednesday, he is expected to start against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
The Guardian Caps, weighing 12 ounces, are attached to the top of a player’s helmet. Studies have shown that when one player wears this protective gear, there is a minimum of a 10% reduction in the severity of impact. This percentage increases to at least 20% if both players involved in a collision are wearing the caps.
In addition to the Guardian Caps, the league introduced eight position-specific helmets for quarterbacks and linemen this season. While these helmets are not completely concussion-proof, they are designed to minimize head trauma.
Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, emphasized that no helmet can completely prevent a concussion in the event of a significant impact. However, by wearing high-performing helmets, players can reduce their risk of sustaining a concussion based on lab and on-field data collected over the past eight years.
The NFL recently reported the lowest number of concussions during the preseason since tracking began in 2015, with 44 concussions in practices and games, marking a 24% decrease from the previous year. League executive Jeff Miller attributed the reduction to various factors, including the use of Guardian Caps.
It is worth noting that over 300 college programs, 3,000 high schools, and 750 youth programs across the country utilize Guardian Caps. Founded in 2010 by Erin and Lee Hanson, Guardian launched its protective caps in 2011 after successful biomechanical and field testing.
Overall, the increased emphasis on player safety and the adoption of innovative protective gear like Guardian Caps underscore the NFL’s commitment to reducing head injuries and enhancing the well-being of its athletes.
