NFL Guardian Cap Rules, Explained

Ahead of the 2024 NFL season, the league will now give players the option to wear Guardian Caps during the regular season.

Here's everything you need to know about the new NFL Guardian Cap rules.

NFL Guardian Cap Rules

The NFL first mandated certain position players to wear Guardian Caps during preseason back in 2022.

In 2023, they expanded that mandate to more position groups, as well as every regular-season and postseason practice with contact. Quarterbacks, kickers, and punters are now the only positions not required to wear the caps during practices.

Starting this season, all players will be permitted to wear them during regular season games if they choose to do so.

What is the Guardian Cap?

The Guardian Cap is a soft-shell cover that goes over a player's standard helmet that seeks to provide additional cushion and protection, specifically in helmet-to-helmet situations.

The Guardian Cap can reduce impact by up to 20% if all players involved are wearing one.

It weighs less than seven ounces and reduces radiant heat from sunlight by up to 20 degrees.

Who Will Wear the Guardian Cap?

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was one of the first high-profile players to wear the Guardian Cap in a preseason game.

He sat down with FanDuel TV's Kay Adams to talk through his decision.

Taylor was among five other Colts to sport the Guardian Cap in their first preseason game.

How Effective is the Guardian Cap?

In a 2023 interview, the NFL's Executive VP Overseeing Player Health claimed that position groups that used the Guardian Caps saw a 52% decrease in concussions and a 20% decrease for every hit to the head.

The league's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Allen Sills, reiterated that data point in a panel with equipment experts this offseason.

"We've got two years of data now showing significant concussion reductions in those players that wear Gurdian Caps in practice," Sills explained. "In the NFL, we've got two seasons of data (showing) a 50% reduction."

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