NFL updates helmet rules to add more ‘Guardian Cap optional' models, ban 7 others
As part of its annual equipment safety review, the NFL has once again updated its rules for which helmets meet its safety standards and which ones are no longer legal.
The updates, announced Friday, are based on 'head impact severity' reviews conducted with input from the NFL Players Association. Among the notable changes this year is the number of helmets now designated as 'Guardian Cap optional,' meaning they perform well enough that the league will not require players with those helmets to wear one of the soft-shelled caps during training camp or practices.
Advertisement
The NFL has touted Guardian Caps as a significant tool to reduce concussions and other head injuries since their limited introduction in 2022. In 2024, the league made the caps mandatory during practices for every position except quarterbacks, kickers and punters. Last season was also the first year players could wear their Guardian Caps during games.
According to the league, NFL players sustained 17 percent fewer concussions in 2024 compared to the 2023 season. There's no definitive metric for how much the expanded use of Guardian Caps contributed to that drop.
The league announced that 10 helmets are 'Guardian Cap optional' now. Included in that category is the Riddell Axiom 3D, which topped the safety performance list this year and in 2024.
Meanwhile, seven additional helmets are now prohibited altogether. They are:
Players can still choose to wear one of three models — the Schutt F7 UR1 2.0 2024, Schutt F7 2.0 and Riddell SpeedFlex — included in this year's 'Not Recommended' category. However, the league said its testing found those helmets 'have a nearly 30 percent higher concussion rate on-field than the highest-ranking helmets.'
Some of the models that are 'Not Recommended' are helmets with newer versions that do meet the 'Top-Performing' criteria, such as the Schutt F7 Pro and two updated forms of the Riddell SpeedFlex.
Quarterbacks and linemen on both sides of the ball have received specific helmet recommendations for the last two seasons, alongside the general list for all players. Nearly a third of players in those positions wore a position-specific helmet last season, according to the NFL.
The NFL said two new models that met the highest safety standards, the LIGHT Gladiator (ATK) and Xenith Orbit Pro, were developed by companies that participated in the NFL Helmet Challenge. The competition offers companies $3 million to create products that improve player safety.
Beyond the professional level, Virginia Tech also releases helmet safety recommendations for high school and youth athletes in a variety of sports. The university says its ratings are made without any contributions from helmet manufacturers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
14 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Noah Brown carted off field at Commanders minicamp. Jeremy Reaves gets extended, AP source says
Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown was carted off the field after getting injured during minicamp in Ashburn, Virginia, on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear what happened to cause the injury or its extent. Reporters in attendance reported Brown walked off slowly after making a catch, threw his helmet in frustration when he reached the sideline and was carted up the hill to the practice facility.
San Francisco Chronicle
16 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Action! Jets using helmet-mounted cameras to help Justin Fields and the other QBs improve
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — There's a new addition to the New York Jets ' huddles this offseason. And it's not just the quarterback. The team is using video cameras attached to the top of the helmets of Justin Fields and fellow QBs Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook throughout organized team activities and the Jets' three-day minicamp this week. The purpose is to record every aspect of the play, from the quarterback getting the play, taking the snap, going through his reads and finishing. Then, the players and coaches can closely review the footage — and make director's cuts to the plays and the playbook. 'Yeah, it's kind of cool,' Fields said Wednesday. 'It's my first time ever doing it, but it's definitely cool just basically kind of hearing the play call again and kind of just going through, making sure you're just doing everything within the process of the play. So yeah, I like the GoPro a lot.' Using technology to measure progress is far from a new concept in the NFL, with several teams incorporating cameras, GPS systems and virtual reality in training, something the Jets did several years ago. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has used a helmet-mounted video camera and Minnesota also used them on its QBs last season. Jets coach Aaron Glenn was with Detroit when the Lions used GoPros and he and his staff, including offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand and quarterbacks coach Charles London, thought it might be useful with a new set of signal callers in New York. 'We said, let's give it a shot in rookie minicamp and see what it looks like, and then we loved it and we just said, let's just do it,' Engstrand said. "Everybody's doing it the whole time and it's been phenomenal for those guys. It gives direct feedback. Shoot, the O-line coach is in there watching the tape with his O-line, you know what I mean? 'Because you can hear everything — you can hear the calls. It's been really beneficial for us.' One of the knocks on Fields during his first four NFL seasons has been that he sometimes holds onto the football too long, leading to sacks and interceptions. The GoPros can be used as a tool to help offset and improve that shortcoming while allowing Fields and the rest of the quarterbacks to understand what they're seeing and hearing — and how it's translating on the field. 'Instead of trying to guess, 'Where did your eyes start?' we'll go back and watch it,' London said. 'You can see where his eyes started and you can see how he went in his progression.' It also helps the wide receivers, running backs, tight ends and offensive line get more familiar with the quarterback's cadence while watching the recorded video and audio. And everyone can hear every on-field comment, too, leading to some laughs. 'They only turn it on when you're actually on the field,' Fields said before grinning. 'But, I mean, some funny things have definitely been said and they've definitely been picked up, for sure.' That might take some getting used to for some players, but Engstrand said all the quarterbacks were open to the idea. "We didn't have to convince them of anything because they look at it and they go, 'This is a way for me to improve,' and that's what they're all here to do," Engstrand said. 'They're all here to find a way to get better and help contribute to the team and get us some more wins on the board. So, there was no convincing needed there.' Fields, a first-round draft pick in Chicago in 2021 who spent last season in Pittsburgh, has previously spoken about using his past experiences to help improve on and off the field. He's heading into this season as the Jets' starting quarterback and plans to gather some of his offensive teammates for throwing sessions during the break before training camp next month. 'I kind of had a feeling when I got here guys were looking for a leader to step up on offense,' Fields said. 'So, I was glad to receive that role and, of course, pushing the guys each and every day to be our best and play up to our standard.' And Fields has been doing exactly that — and his work on the film has gotten rave reviews. 'The biggest takeaway I would say is that this guy is just a workaholic,' Engstrand said. 'He comes in early, he's here late and he's trying to digest everything and download all the information and do things the right way. He's trying to do things that we're asking and I think he's really put the next foot forward every day, just trying to stack days, and it's been really good.' ___
Associated Press
16 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Noah Brown carted off field at Commanders minicamp. Jeremy Reaves gets extended, AP source says
Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown was carted off the field after getting injured during minicamp in Ashburn, Virginia, on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear what happened to cause the injury or its extent. Reporters in attendance reported Brown walked off slowly after making a catch, threw his helmet in frustration when he reached the sideline and was carted up the hill to the practice facility. Brown, who caught Jayden Daniels' desperation pass against Chicago for one of the Commanders' signature moments last season, missed the final four games of last season and their playoff run to the NFC championship game with a kidney injury. He re-signed on a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million. Washington also took care of some longer-term business Wednesday, signing safety and special teams ace Jeremy Reaves to a one-year extension through the 2026 NFL season, according to a person with knowledge of the move. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce the deal. 'Grateful for the journey, the fans, this team and organization,' Reaves posted on social media. 'Much more in store!' Reaves, now 28, was an All-Pro selection on special teams in 2022. He missed the majority of 2023 after getting sidelined by a torn ACL five games into that season. ___ AP NFL:
