NEW YORK — The NFL announced Friday that it will allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers, known as Guardian caps, in games next season, if they choose.
The league is also expanding the use of devices during practices. Defensive backs and receivers have joined the position groups now required to wear caps during all contact practices.
The NFL has made the use of caps during practice mandatory for certain players since 2022. Quarterbacks, kickers and punters are the only remaining position groups who are not required to wear them during practice.
No player will be required to wear the cap during matches, but they now have the option to do so.
“We have two years of data showing a significant reduction in concussions among players who wear Guardian Caps in the NFL,” Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, said during a recent webinar.
According to NFL data, the cap will absorb at least 10% of the force during a hit against the helmet. This doubles to 20% if both players involved in the move use capital letters.
The league said concussions reached a seven-year low during training camp last year, when wearing caps was mandatory for some players.
The caps are made by Guardian Sports, based in Peachtree Corner, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.
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