The NFL has been using the Guardian cap during training camp practices for a while now. You’ve probably seen them In photos.
It’s a large pad that fits over a regular football helmet and is designed to prevent concussions. This season, for the first time, the NFL allowed players the option of wearing the protective caps during games.
Not many players accepted the league’s offer, but one star did: Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
Taylor wore the cap during Sunday’s preseason game against the Denver Broncos. It looks odd when the camera zooms in, with a cover displaying the Colts logo over it.
#Foals RB Jonathan Taylor is one of several players wearing a Guardians cap in the preseason.
Team covers were made for the caps to make them look more like a normal helmet.
He #NFL is allowing players to wear the Guardians caps during regular season games. image.twitter.com/qA5guFKfew
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) August 11, 2024
Otherwise, it’s not much of a distraction and is a positive if it prevents concussions. Colts tight end Kylen Granson was another player who wore the cap during the first week of the preseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels wore it on Saturday, believed to be the first to do so.
“I don’t have a headache, so that’s good,” Daniels said after the game. by Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette“I hope more and more people start using them.”
It’s not trendy and it’s out of the ordinary, which is why we didn’t see many players wearing them in the first week of the preseason. Maybe it’s more common for players like Taylor to try them out. It’s just another thing NFL fans need to get used to this season.