NFL: Concussion numbers dropped significantly in 2018

The number of diagnosed concussions dropped significantly in the NFL in 2018, the league confirmed on Thursday.

There was a 24 percent decline in concussions in the preseason and regular season, from 281 in 2017 to 214 this season. For the regular season only, there was a 29 percent decrease from 190 in 2017 to 135.

That means the average NFL team experienced one concussion every fourth game in 2018, compared to one every third game in 2017.

“We’re certainly pleased with the progress on concussion reduction,” said Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president for health and safety. “There is a lot more work to do.”

Two rules changes may have contributed to the decline. After experiencing a spike in concussion figures in 2017, the league put a rule in place to prevent using the helmet to initiate contact. Changes were also made to kickoffs, with the elimination of any wedges (previously, two-man wedges had been allowed) and new formational rules that made the play more like a punt return, with fewer high-speed collisions.

Some of the credit also goes to advances in helmet technology. The league said 74 percent of players are using the latest protective headwear, compared to 41 percent in 2017.

The NFL said that 75 percent of the 538 sideline evaluations during games this season did not result in a concussion diagnosis.

“We continue to emphasize an extremely conservative approach,” said Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer. “If they even suspect someone is concussed, we screen that player.”

The latest concussion figures are encouraging, but the league said the number of serious knee injuries has remained largely flat over the past seven seasons. There were 57 ACL tears in 2018, the NFL said.

–Field Level Media