NFL announces concussion numbers decreased in 2018

The NFL saw a 24 percent decrease in the number of diagnosed concussions during the 2018 season from the previous year, according to NFL.com's Judy Battista, who cites data released by the league.

There were 214 concussions reported in 2018, including the preseason, compared to 281 in 2017 over that same period.

League officials are optimistic about the results but have yet to analyze the data and determine the factors which most contributed to the shift.

"We are pleased with the progress," said Jeffrey Miller, the NFL's executive vice president for health and safety initiatives. "It was obviously an advance for the health and safety of our players to see fewer concussions. But it is simply one step in our longer effort to continue to drive down concussion rates."

The NFL enacted a number of changes for the 2018 campaign in an effort to limit concussions after experiencing a record number the year prior - dating back to 2012 when the league began to release its data.

Adjuments were made to kickoffs and helmet-to-helmet penalties, and the league encouraged the use of advanced helmets. According to data collected by the NFL, 74 percent of players used advanced helmets this season, compared to the 41 percent who wore them in 2017.

Of the 538 sideline concussion evaluations completed during the regular season, more than 75 percent did not end with a concussion diagnosis, according to Battista.

The league's health and safety specialists will be able to better evaluate what specifically led to the decrease when they gather for the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

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