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The NFL Made 10-Year History With Concussions In 2024

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jan 30, 2025 4:17 PM ET

The NFL reported a positive trend in concussion data from the 2024 season.

On Thursday, the NFL held a media call to discuss player safety. According to executive vice president Jeff Miller, the league reported the fewest diagnosed concussions since they started to track them in 2015. Concussions decreased 17 percent from the prior year.

The NFL reported 219 concussions in 2023, including the preseason and practices. That was up from 213 in 2022 but down from a previous high of 281.

Per NFL.com's Judy Battista, Miller also said the concussion rate decreased 43 percent on the league's new dynamic kickoff. They reported the same amount of concussions (eight) as in 2023 despite the rate of kick returns increasing by 57 percent.

After transforming the kickoff, the NFL could turn its attention to adjusting punt returns with safety in mind.

Dr. Allen Sills said 35 percent of players upgraded to a safer helmet. One-third of players with access to position-specific helmets are wearing them.

Per The Washington Post's Mark Maske, Sills said approximately 20 players wore Guardian Caps during 2024 regular season games. Players are required to wear the large, soft-shelled padded helmets during training camp, but this was the first year the NFL allowed them to use them during in-season games.

The NFL has implemented protocols for coaches and officials to remove players from the field if they suspect a possible head injury. But Sills noted that 41 percent of concussion evaluations involved a player self-reporting symptoms.

"The work's not done," Sills said

Beyond concussions, Miller touted a "good first year" on the NFL's ban of hip drop tackles. No penalties were issued during the game, but the league fined or warned approximately 30 players following post-game reviews.

However, not all safety findings went in the right direction. The league will review a rise in shoulder injuries.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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