NFL to allow Guardian Caps in games in 2024

The NFL is allowing players the option to wear Guardian Caps during the regular season in 2024.

The caps, which are padded and go over top of helmets, were mandated for certain positions during training camps over the last two offseasons but weren't permitted for in-game use until now.

Guardian Caps contributed to a decrease of nearly 50% in concussions among players using them during those periods, NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller said earlier this year, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

Players at Guardian Cap-mandated positions will be exempt from the requirement if they use a helmet model that provides equal or greater protection, per Seifert.

"Data drives our decision-making and is really at the heart of what we do," NFL chief football administrative officer Dawn Aponte said as part of the league's Player Health and Safety program. "We also share aggregate data (with teams) across the league and give them their rankings."

Any caps worn in games will have team logos on them, according to Seifert.

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