The damage concussions have caused former NFL players came to light in the 2000s after several former high-profile NFL players committed suicide. Studies from the brain tissue of those players revealed a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, more commonly referred to as CTE. The NFL was sued by former players who suffered such injuries, and in 2015, the league reached a class action settlement with players. The football league vowed to commit to increasing player protections to help prevent concussions.

This year’s injury data showed progress. 

A league release stated that concussions in the league decreased 17% this year compared to the previous season. This was a continuation of the improvement that began in the NFL preseason, in which the NFL had “the fewest number of concussions in practices and games since 2015.” The league cited the “largest safety improvements in helmets worn on field since 2021” as an integral part of the decrease in head trauma injuries. It stems from what the NFL claimed was a continued effort to “foster a culture of safety.”

“Today is an important milestone but not the end of our work,” noted Jeff Miller, NFL executive vice president overseeing player health and safety. “Through improved equipment, rules modifications, and a continued culture change, we will make the game safer and more exciting.”

Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, expressed optimism toward the progress made and acknowledged the strategies and protocols the league implemented to reduce these injuries as a key contributing factor to the improvements. 

“This season’s injury data underscores real progress in our efforts to reduce concussions and lower-extremity strains, key areas of focus for the league’s injury reduction strategy,” Sills said. “We’re glad to see continued focus on these injuries pay off, and as always, will be using this injury data to inform and further strengthen our injury prevention and reduction approach during the offseason.”