Jets coach Robert Saleh has mixed feelings about Guardian Caps

Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah runs a drill during training camp... — Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah runs a drill during training camp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., on Thursday. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy

By Al Iannazzoneal.iannazzone@newsday.com Al_IannazzoneUpdated July 31, 2022

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The NFL is making certain position groups wear extra padding on their helmets during training camp in hopes of reducing concussions, but Jets coach Robert Saleh is concerned about when the caps come off.

Offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends and linebackers have to wear these soft padded shells called Guardian Caps in practice until after the second preseason game.

Saleh thinks it’s a good idea. One of the things he noted was that quarterbacks are not smacking their hands on helmets after throwing the ball. But Saleh also thinks players might be leading with their heads a little more — which is not allowed and could cause serious injury — and that it might continue when the Guardian Caps come off.

“I do think the spirit of it all is really good. I think it’s got benefits,” Saleh said. “But I do think there’s balance in everything. Too much of anything is a bad thing.

“I do think because of the soft blow, it’s leading the players to use their heads a little bit more. I do think that when the first time that they take it off — anyone who’s played football knows that the first time you take your helmet off or you hit with the helmet or you have a collision, there’s a shock.I do think that if you’re waiting until the first game for that shock to happen, I don’t know, time will tell. It’s just interesting with those Guardian Caps and what exactly are we trying to accomplish.”

NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said: “The brain does not acclimate to head impacts. The Guardian Cap helps mitigate those forces at a time of the season when we see the greatest concentration of them.”

The Jets and most teams will practice with pads beginning Monday. Saleh believes players need time to get used to playing without the Guardian Caps.

“I am [concerned] because I think there’s an acclimation period that is needed for actual pads for what they are actually going to use in the game,” Saleh said. “So if you’re waiting until the game to actually feel that — I think it’s just going to be interesting to see what type of feedback we get from players.”