Innovations in Player Safety Help Drive NFL Preseason Concussions to Record Low

The National Football League announced today injury data for the 2024 preseason, which includes the fewest number of concussions in a full preseason. Key results include:

• The fewest number of concussions in practices and games (44) since tracking began in 2015
• A nearly 50% reduction in concussions among players wearing the Guardian Cap in mandated sessions vs. the pre-mandate average
• Lower-extremity strains remain down by roughly 25% 
• 70% of kickoffs were returned in the preseason, with the injury rate on returns decreasing by 32% to more closely align with the injury rate on run and pass plays
• Nearly 99% of players in top-performing helmets

Concussions reach an all-time low

The decrease in preseason concussions to an historic low resulted from the long-term, holistic approach to concussion reduction efforts. The strategy includes rule changes, research into better understanding of concussion causing events, education related to proper technique, improved helmet safety and the expansion of the Guardian Cap mandate. The 44 concussions represent a decrease of 24% from 2023 and fewer than half the number of 91 in 2017.  

“Concussions continue to decrease in the preseason as a result of changes to practices, technique, rules and substantial investments in research that have led to the best performing helmets we have ever seen,” said Jeff Miller, NFL Executive Vice President overseeing Player Health and Safety. “There is more work to do, but player safety is advancing, and we hope to see this trend continue this season.”

“While there is no finish line in our efforts to make the game safer, the injury data from this preseason is an example of how the league’s deliberate approach to player safety continues to deliver results,” said Dr. Allen Sills, NFL Chief Medical Officer. “We’re committed to building a culture of safety around the game, and this preseason was another positive step in that direction.”

Continued progress on lower-extremity injuries

Multi-year strategies to reduce lower-extremity injuries in the preseason continued in 2024, following a sustained decreased during the 2023 preseason. The league continues to track the progress and success of the mandated preseason acclimation strategy, where players gradually reintegrate into football activities at the start of training camp to decrease the risk of injury as they ramp up to in-season performance levels.

The injury data this preseason supports that the mandated ramp-up period – paired with targeted, club-by-club discussions about injury reduction strategies – continues to have a significant impact. Since the acclimation period was introduced in 2022, lower-extremity strains remain down by 27% in 2024 compared to the 2021 preseason. ACL tear injuries this preseason remained lower than the nine-season average, while Achilles rupture injuries were lower than 2023 and comparable to the nine-season average.

Kickoff rule change shows promising early returns

This year’s preseason injury data is also the first to reflect the new Dynamic Kickoff rule. With the new rule in place, 70% of kickoffs were returned in the preseason while player speeds on the play decreased approximately 20%. The injury rate on returns decreased by 32%, more closely aligning with the rate of injuries on run and pass plays.

Helmet adoption rate points to further progress

This season, five of the helmet models available for players tested better than any helmet ever worn in the league. The record 12 new helmets available for this season also include eight new position-specific helmet models.

Nearly 99% of players are wearing top-performing models, including more than 250 players wearing helmets that provide as much – and in some case more – protection than a helmet paired with a Guardian Cap; players wearing these helmets are not required to wear the Guardian Cap in practices.