A view of a player's helmet with the Guardian Cap resting on the field during day two of training camp at The Park in Ashburn. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Certain NFL players must wear Guardian Caps through second preseason game

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/28/22

Fans who attend NFL training camp sessions or see portions of practices on television or online this summer may notice certain players wearing what are known as Guardian Caps, which are soft and padded shells meant to fit over standard helmets to offer better protection from concussions and other serious head injuries:

Players league-wide are wearing Guardian Caps during 2022 preseason practices – the latest example of the NFL’s continued work to foster innovation that leads to better protective equipment and makes the game safer for players. pic.twitter.com/gB4aAF7YHG
— NFL (@NFL) July 27, 2022

Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, those caps won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

Back in March, NFL clubs passed a resolution that requires all offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, and tight ends to wear Guardian Caps from the start of training camp practices through at least the second preseason game. According to Parker Gabriel of USA Today, the league claims that utilizing Guardian Caps "can reduce concussions by up to 10% if one player involved in a collision is wearing one of them and up to 20% if both players involved in a collision have them on."

Teams typically reduce contact during practices after the second preseason contest.

"This is, of course, just one piece of our larger efforts to reduce avoidable head impacts through better helmets, improved techniques and training regimens," a league spokesperson explained in a statement shared by PFT.

Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett spoke highly of the caps on Wednesday.

"We talk about the team all the time and it’s about protecting the team," Hackett remarked. "If that’s going to help anybody, hey, we’re going to do it." Hackett also called the caps "sweet."

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