By Rory Carroll
(Reuters) – Player concussions dropped 17% this season compared to last, reaching a record low amid improvements in helmet safety, the introduction of helmet covers known as guardian caps and changes to the rules governing kickoffs, the NFL said on Thursday.
“2024 saw the fewest number of concussions on record in the NFL,” Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president overseeing player health and safety, told reporters on a call.
“That dates to 2015 when we adopted a current and modern electronic medical records system. This year had notable decrease of 17% year-over-year as a result of improved equipment, continued rule changes and enforcement, and a culture change around head injuries.
“In many ways this was a milestone year with the fewest amount of concussions on record.”
The data comes from measuring the number of concussions suffered by players in all preseason and regular season games and practices during the 2024 season.
More than a third of players had upgraded to what the NFL deems safer helmets this season, said Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer.
The use of guardian caps, especially in practices where they are more commonly utilized, had also been an “unqualified success,” he said.
The introduction of a Dynamic Kickoff rule this season, which is designed to promote more returns and reduce injury risks, had also worked as intended, he said.
The rule allows only the kicker and two returners to move until the ball hits the ground or a player in the landing zone or end zone, which means players cannot get off to a running start.
Returns increased while the average speed of players slowed, leading to a concussion rate 43% lower compared to the 2021-2023 average.
The rule also led to the fewest lower extremity strains on the play since at least 2018, Sills said.
The NFL will continue to try to reduce high-speed helmet impacts, defined by two players colliding at more than 15 miles per hour (24 kph), and changes to the rules on punting plays could be coming.
“Those high-speed helmet impacts are 26 times more likely to cause a concussion compared to a helmet impact at the lower speed,” he said.
“That’s an enormous risk and that’s why we want to work very hard at trying to eliminate those types of exposures.
“We’re very pleased with the concussion numbers but not at all suggesting that the work is done. We still have a lot to do to continue to make the game safer.”
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; editing by Clare Fallon)
Comments