Taylor among 5 Colts players to wear the protective equipment
Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor was among the players wearing Guardian Caps during the team’s preseason game against the Denver Broncos.
The Guardian Cap is protective headgear that is worn around the helmet to help prevent head injuries. Taylor, Zavier Scott, Kylen Granson, Rodney Thomas II and Grant Stuard decided to wear it for the game on Sunday, months after the NFL approved players to wear it in regular-season games if they choose.
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Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Aug. 11, 2024. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
"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 in a statement in April.
"Additionally, there are new helmets this year that provide as much – if not more – protection than a different helmet model paired with a Guardian Cap. These developments represent substantial progress in our efforts to make the game safer for players."
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Indianapolis Colts' Anthony Richardson, left, hands off the ball to Jonathan Taylor during the first half of the preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Aug. 11, 2024. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Guardian Caps were introduced during training camp before the start of the 2022 season. They were made mandatory at preseason practices in 2023 as well as any regular-season or playoff practice that featured contact.
Only quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive backs, kickers and punters are not obliged to wear the piece of protection.
Scott told the Indy Star why he decided to wear the cap.
"Our [medical and equipment] guys here do a great job of keeping us informed," Scott said. "They’ve done the testing, and I don’t know the numbers, but they say it [offers] a significant reduction in concussions."
Indianapolis Colts' wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (7) and running back Zavier Scott (34) celebrate a touchdown during the second half of the preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Aug. 11, 2024. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
Denver won the game, 34-30.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
