Colts’ Jonathan Taylor becomes one of the first players to wear a protective Guardian Cap over helmet during an actual game amid growing on-field accidents

Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor was seen wearing a guardian cap during the Colts first pre-season game against the Denver Broncos.

Colts’ Jonathan Taylor becomes one of the first players to wear a protective Guardian Cap over helmet during an actual game amid growing on-field accidents

Colts Jonathan Taylor wore guardian cap in preseason opener against Broncos (Image via Imago/ X)

The era of the ‘Guardian Caps’ is upon football, as several Indianapolis Colts players, including running back Jonathan Taylor and Zavier Scott, wore them for the first time during their pre-season loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. And judging by the trajectory, more and more players will use them in future games.

The camera pointed at Taylor when the fifth-year rusher came onto the field to join in the Colts huddle. He wore the ‘Guardian Cap,’ a padded layer of protection encasing the helmet.

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According to a statement issued by the league, the players had the freedom to wear the caps during game days. The league already allowed the usage of the said caps in practice and pre-season games.

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We now have two years of data showing significant concussion reductions among players who wear Guardian Caps during practice, so players will be permitted to wear the cap during games this upcoming season.
NFL executive Jeff Miller, the EVP overseeing player health and safety, said per FOX News

Athletes who play defensive end, cornerback, and running back can wear them in pre-season games. The first player to show up wearing the guardian cap was apparently Pittsburgh Steelers guard James Daniels when they played against the Cleveland Browns.

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The Guardian Caps will help reduce concussion rates for choppy injury history like Jonathan Taylor

Taylor is one of the star players for the Colts, who are going through a transition period following the retirement of quarterback Andrew Luck. Last season they drafted much-discussed Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson 4th overall. However, he only lasted 4 games before suffering an AC joint sprain in week 5.

Jonathan Taylor (Image via Imago)

Taylor was missing during the first 4 games because of an ankle sprain and then missed 3 weeks in the middle of the season due to a torn ligament in his thumb. While a guardian cap will not protect him from such injuries, it will help him reduce the impact of a blow to his head in a tackle, which 219 players succumbed to in 2023, 6 more than in 2022.

Taylor’s running back partner Scott told IndyStar about the benefits that the Colts’ medical team told the players.

Our medical [and equipment] guys here do a great job of keeping us informed. They’ve done the testing, and I don’t know the numbers, but they say it [offers] a significant reduction in concussions.
Zavier Scott said

Richardson started his first game after rehab, but head coach Shane Steichen rotated four different quarterbacks but still lost 30-34 against the Broncos. Up next, they will welcome the Arizona Cardinals to the Lucas Oil Stadium on August 17.

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