Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor made headlines in mid-August when he wore a Guardian Cap during his team’s 34-30 preseason game loss against the Denver Broncos on Aug. 11.
Now, at least two other Colts have said that they plan to wear the protective helmet padding when the Colts open their regular season on Sept. 8 against the Houston Texans.
The NFL allowed players to wear Guardian Caps during practice last year and is now letting them put them on for games.
Indianapolis tight end Kylen Granson explained to James Boyd of “The Athletic” on Thursday that his decision to wear the extra protection for the campaign was an easy one.
“At one point people thought seatbelts were f—ing stupid,” Granson said, per Boyd. “Why wouldn’t I? Just because it looks silly? I feel like health and safety is more important than aesthetics.”
The 26-year-old’s stand is admirable, and perhaps more players will be joining him in the future.
Granson suffered a concussion last year but according to Boyd, said he’d wear a Guardian Cap even if he didn’t have the health scare.
The 2021 fourth-round pick had a career-high 368 receiving yards and 50 targets in 2023 with 30 receptions across 15 games, and his first career touchdown. Granson’s touchdown came in Week 2 against the Texans and after breaking his 31-game scoreless streak, he kept the ball for a photo shoot with his longtime girlfriend Daisy Foko and their “newborn baby.”
Colts safety Rodney Thomas II also said on Thursday that he’ll be wearing a Guardian Cap this season, according to Boyd.
The NFL has reported that concussion rates are down 52% over the last three years for players who wore Guardian Caps than the ones who didn’t, per Guardian’s website.
