Gang Green Nation
The data suggests NFL safety changes have had a positive impact
Much has changed in the NFL since they first started trying to address concussions around 2010. Many of those changes are key to the game, such as preventing violent hits to the head that have an increased likelihood of causing a concussion. Recently, we’ve seen the NFL go a step further, offering guardian caps for practices and games that are thought to further diminish the likelihood of concussions.
In many ways, the game looks very different than it used to. For many, that’s a tradeoff that they’re willing to accept in the name of player safety. But is it actually leading to that?
Well, according to some recent data, the answer appears to be yes.
As stated in the title, the 2024 NFL season saw its fewest recorded concussions since 2015 when this data was tracked. Moreover, the article it links to cites that concussions were down 17% in 2024 compared to 2023, which is a considerable reduction.
Related to the New York Jets, these safety changes were likely helpful on the field as safety Ashlyn Davis was the only player to miss games with a concussion designation this season, highlighting the general infrequency with which this injury was suffered this season compared to years past.
