Though the look is still strange in training camps and practices across the NFL landscape, the new Guardian Caps adorning helmets are doing what they were designed to do: increase player safety and decrease head injuries.
According to NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Miller, who oversees player health and safety, the league has seen a significant decrease in concussions.
The league is reporting a 52% decrease in concussions for those players at positions wearing the Guardian Caps, which are designed to provide a soft, padded outer shell to lessen blows. The Guardian Caps are essentially soft, clip-on pads for a helmet.