More and more frequently, NFL players have been seen with a padded covering strapped to the exterior of their helmets.
These soft shells are called Guardian Caps, and they were introduced to the league in August 2020 when the Jacksonville Jaguars became the first team to wear them during training camp.
Since the 2022 offseason, the NFL has mandated the protective headwear in preseason practices for several positions. Now, everyone excluding quarterbacks and specialists must use a Guardian Cap in training before Week 1, save for those who selected one of six new helmet models that provide equal or better protection according to the league.
As of new guidance from the NFL, players now have the option to wear the caps during regular season games, and several have already made preseason appearances with the shell on their helmets.
Here's everything to know about Guardian Caps, including an explanation of the helmet covers worn by players like Jonathan Taylor in NFL games.
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What is a Guardian Cap?
The purpose of a Guardian Cap is to absorb contact and promote impact reduction from violent collisions, in turn reducing concussions. Created in 2010, the headgear was designed based on scientific theories that state "an outer 'soft' material of the proper density, stiffness, and energy absorbing properties reduces the initial severity of the impact," per the company website.
There's a reason the protective shells have stuck around since their introduction to the league just a few years ago. Last August, NFL executive VP Jeff Miller told NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" that the caps had reduced concussions by over 50 percent during the preseason.
Additionally, if both players are wearing the gear in a collision, impact is said to be reduced by around 20 percent. If only one player is wearing the gear, the impact reduction is halved to 10 percent.
"We now have two years of data showing significant concussion reductions among players who wear Guardian Caps," Miller said in a statement in April. "Additionally, there are new helmets this year that provide as much — if not more — protection than a different helmet model paired with a Guardian Cap. These developments represent substantial progress in our efforts to make the game safer for players."
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What do NFL players have to say about Guardian Caps?
With the loosened regulations regarding the use of Guardian Caps in regular season games, players have come out in support of the preventative headgear. Specifically, Indianapolis Colts tight end Kylen Granson and safety Rodney Thomas have come out and said they will be sporting the shells Week 1.
“At one point people thought seatbelts were f—ing stupid,” Granson told The Athletic on Thursday. “Why wouldn’t I (wear it)? Just because it looks silly? I feel like health and safety is more important than aesthetics.”
He suffered a concussion last season but confirmed his decision to wear the Guardian Cap this season didn't come as a result of his injury history. Colts running back Taylor also wore the headgear during his preseason appearances, but he hasn't revealed whether he'll be sporting one on upcoming Sundays yet.
“Does it inhibit me from being able to complete my job at a high level? I’m going to keep wearing it throughout the preseason and make that evaluation, but it’s hard to tell without live game action,” he told FanDuel TV.
“The first game I had, it did not feel different,” Taylor added. “It felt like practice. Of course, it was only limited snaps … but so far, it didn’t feel different.”
Steelers guard James Daniels also donned the cap this preseason and plans to wear one during the regular season, as well, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“Hopefully more and more people start wearing them,” Daniels told the newspaper. “I truly believe they help, so I’m glad the NFL is allowing us to wear them. Hopefully every week people start wearing them more and more. I’m excited for it.”
