A recent topic of discussion all around football has been concussions, player safety, and how to prevent injuries. The NFL is trying many things to prevent concussions such as new helmets that are designed to be safer, new rules to try to avoid helmet-to-helmet collisions, and much more.
In 2015 some NFL players started using Guardian Caps in practice which are an extra layer of protection that goes over the helmet. Also in 2022, the NFL mandated running backs, offensive and defensive linemen, and linebackers to wear the caps in practice. But starting this season a few players chose to wear the caps in games which hadn’t been done before. The long-term effects of concussions have caused many players to be forced to quit while others chose to quit. Luke Kuechly, former linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, chose to retire early at the age of 28. Kuechly likely would have had a longer NFL career and possibly even been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame without him retiring early due to concussions
NFL quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered the 3rd concussion of his NFL career this caused major concern across the NFL with players, coaches, and even doctors suggesting that he should retire. Because of the long term health concern that concussions cause. The Miami Dolphins placed him on injured reserve which guarantees that he will be out for at least four weeks. In 2023 219 players in the NFL reported getting a concussion, but in 2018 281 players reported that they got a concussion which is the highest in NFL history.
When a player is suspected of having a concussion in the NFL the player is removed from the game and evaluated for different symptoms of a concussion like dizziness, nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and more. If the player clears concussion protocol they can go back into the game, if they don’t the player can’t go back in the game. After the game, the player will continue tests by team doctors to determine if they can play in the next game or not.
