NFL Says 2024 Season Saw Fewest Recorded Concussions Since 2015

The 2024 NFL season resulted in the league's lowest recorded concussion total since at least 2015, NFL executive Jeff Miller told reporters Thursday.

Recorded concussions decreased 17 percent between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, per NFL.com's Judy Battista.

The drop in reported concussions coincided with rule changes, including the introduction of new helmets and the allowance of regular-season Guardian Cap use, ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Chief medical officer Dr. Adam Sills told reporters about one-fifth of NFL players wore helmets with top safety ratings this season, while about 20 players wore Guardian Caps over their helmets, per Mark Maske of the Washington Post.

Many concussion reports rely at least in part on what players tell evaluators. Sills said 41 percent of concussion evaluations involved self-reporting, per Battista.

The NFL also adjusted the kickoff format ahead of the 2024 campaign.

The new rules, which were introduced on a one-year trial basis and will be looked at again ahead of the 2025 campaign, involved moving touchbacks to the 30-yard line.

The NFL previously reported that the risk of concussion was about four times higher on kickoffs than on pass or run plays. Miller said the risk of concussion on kickoffs is now similar to that of other plays, per Battista.

Miller added that eight recorded concussions had been suffered on kickoffs during the 2024 season, the same number reported by the NFL after last season.

The kickoff return rate simultaneously climbed after dipping to an all-time low in 2023, lowering the rate of recorded concussion per return by 43 percent, per Battista.

Sills said the decrease in reported concussions does not mean the NFL is done combatting the risks of head injury faced by players. Maske previously reported in October the league is already considering moving touchbacks to the 35-yard line next fall.

Combatting concussion risk will be an even bigger concern for the NFL as the league reportedly eyes extending the regular season. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said several times during the 2024 campaign that the league would consider adding an 18th regular-season game.

Player safety will likely be a top concern discussed by NFLPA representatives if the 18-game schedule is proposed during upcoming meetings over the league's next CBA. Being able to show evidence that recorded concussions are decreasing could ultimately help the NFL bargain for longer seasons.