• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Guardian Caps Have Arrived in the NFL—Ahead of Schedule

  • Guardian Caps are said to reduce the risk of concussions during collisions.
  • This season is the first in which the NFL is allowing them to be worn during regular-season games.
Photo by the Indianapolis Star

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has never been diagnosed with a concussion since being drafted in 2020. He’s taking precautions to keep it that way.

The 2021 rushing champion wore a Guardian Cap during the Colts’ preseason loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Guardian Caps are padded shells that fit over the standard football helmets.

The caps were introduced in the league in 2022, when offensive linemen, defensive linemen, tight ends, and linebackers were required to wear them during preseason practices up until the second preseason game. Thirty-six additional players chose to do so, with encouragement from the league, which reported a “50% reduction in concussions versus a previous three-year average” (excluding the COVID-19-affected 2020 season, which had no preseason).

This will be the first year in which all players are allowed to wear Guardian Caps during the regular season if they choose. Several players have sported them during preseason games, including Taylor, four other Colts players Sunday, and Pittsburgh Steelers guard James Daniels

Daniels endorsed the caps after the Steelers’ Friday night game against Houston. “My head doesn’t hurt, so that’s good. … Hopefully more and more people start wearing them.”

According to the NFL, wearing the Guardian Cap reduces impact severity by 10% or more. That figure jumps to 20% if both players involved in a collision wear them. Thus the widespread adoption of Guardian Caps could help bring down the league’s concussion rate; it officially recorded 219 in 2023, up from 213 the year before.

But don’t be surprised if the caps fail to become ubiquitous. Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks called them “UFO caps” due to their weight, while Eagles cornerback teammate Darius Slay said they make him look “ugly.” 

They may not even catch on among the most safety-conscious players. The league made 12 new helmet models eligible for player use before the season, several designed to guard against position-specific impacts. According to a league source, six of these helmets provide the same level of protection or more as a helmet worn with a Guardian Cap.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.

$600M for Browns Stadium Sparks Cleveland Backlash, Possible Lawsuit

The awarding of public funds draws criticism and could bring a lawsuit.
Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility.
opinion

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners

The conservative “Steeler Way” has finally adapted—and media partners are happy.
Jun 10, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (81) participates in a drill during an NFL football minicamp at NRG Stadium.

30 of 32 NFL Second-Round Draft Picks Remain Unsigned

Some rookie training camps start in under two weeks.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Nov 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a shot in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Malik Beasley’s Messy Offseason Includes $2.25M Suit From Ex-Agency

The former Pistons player is not having a good summer.
Dewanna Bonner
exclusive
July 1, 2025

WNBA Cutdown Deadline Could Spur Deals for DeWanna Bonner, Emma Meesseman

The two big-name free agents could find their WNBA homes in July.
July 1, 2025

Gauff, Pegula Out at Wimbledon in Nightmare Start for American Women, ESPN

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula were ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, entering Wimbledon.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Shai
July 1, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Becomes NBA’s First $70 Million Player

The superstar could’ve waited for an even bigger deal next year.
June 30, 2025

What Would a LeBron James L.A. Exit Look Like?

ESPN’s Bobby Marks said “there isn’t” a trade market for James.
Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.
June 30, 2025

Rape Suit Against QB Retzlaff Dismissed, but He’s Still Leaving BYU

Retzlaff admitted to “consensual” sex, violating BYU’s strict honor code.
June 30, 2025

As NBA Salary Cap Rises, Role Players Are Getting $100M+ Deals

The salary cap has increased by 10% in three of four seasons.