FOXBOROUGH — According to a study released Tuesday, at least 25 percent of NFL players might expect to end up with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, based on an examination of hundreds of cases over a recent six-year period.
Several Patriots players said after practice while they were aware of the study— conducted by experts at Mass General Brigham, Boston University, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation — they were also cognizant of the dangers associated with playing football, citing how advances in helmet-related equipment technology, as well as medical protocols, have helped improve player safety over the last four seasons.
Specific to CTE, the rise of Guardian caps has helped make players feel safer. A soft-shell helmet cover, they were first introduced into the league on a limited basis in 2020. In 2022, it was mandated that all linemen, tight ends, and linebackers wear them during early preseason practices. In 2024, the NFL approved their use during actual regular-season and postseason games as an optional choice for players.
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Many players favor using the caps as a way to prevent against head trauma. Several Patriots players have used them over the last few seasons, including former safety Jabrill Peppers and current offensive lineman Jared Wilson. Wilson decided to use a Guardian cap last year after sustaining his first concussion at the NFL level. He became the first player in NFL history to wear a Guardian cap in the Super Bowl at Super Bowl LX.
The helmet of Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is protected by a Guardian cap.
The helmet of Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is protected by a Guardian cap.Danielle Parhizkaran
In addition, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who signed this past season as a free agent, gained a measure of fame while wearing a customized Guardian cap during a throwback game with the Packers in 2024.
At the same time, other players who go without Guardian caps point to advances in helmet-based technology. Wide receiver DeMario Douglas, who has seen plenty of teammates wear Guardian caps over the years, said they aren’t for him.
“I feel like this how I grew up,” said Douglas, motioning to his helmet and shoulder pads sitting on the grass nearby. “I feel like the Guardian cap is definitely good for those who hit and get hit constantly. I’m not hitting constantly. I probably get hit here and there, but it’s not constantly like some of the linemen.”
Douglas, who switched helmets a few years ago to the Schutt F7 — what he termed as a newer, safer model — said the technological advances made over the last few seasons have made his decision to go without a Guardian cap much easier.
“As they make new helmets, they take some helmets out. They upgrade. They take the old one out and make a new helmet that’s better for safety,” Douglas said. “That’s what I did. I had an older model, and I was feeling it when I hit the ground. So then I switched to a newer model, and that felt way better and safer. Way better.”
Veteran offensive lineman Greg van Roten, who read the study before practice, echoed Douglas’ statement. The 36-year-old, who has played 11 seasons in the NFL — and has missed just one game the last five years — said the development of new helmet technology has allowed him to play with more peace of mind.
“They were mandated a few years ago for linemen, unless you wore a specific helmet,” he said of the Guardian caps. “So it’s really just, I think, a push to get guys to wear the new helmets with the new technology.
“As someone that’s been in the league for a long time and been through many iterations of different helmets, I can say that the newest helmets definitely feel the safest. I don’t really know like how you quantify that, but just from like a kind of anecdotal standpoint, like I like the new helmets, and then the Guardian caps is just an added layer of protection on top of that.”
Henderson absent
Running back TreVeyon Henderson, who slipped on the turf near the end of Monday’s practice and left early, was not at Tuesday’s workout. According to a league source, Henderson had some “precautionary tests” done on his lower right ankle, but was walking and moving fine. Henderson wasn’t expected to play in the preseason finale against the Browns on Thursday. . . . The other players missing on Tuesday: safety Craig Woodson, punter Bryce Baringer, offensive lineman Marcus Bryant, linebacker Xavier Holmes, linebacker Khalil Jacobs, offensive lineman Lorenz Metz, and offensive lineman Ben Brown were all not spotted during the workout. Meanwhile, outside linebacker Harold Landry remains on the physically unable to perform list, while safety/special teamer Brenden Schooler is also on the non-football injury list. . . . Running back Lan Larison (in a red non-contact jersey), defensive lineman Cory Durden, and offensive lineman Mehki Butler all returned to action, while running back Jam Miller was limited.