Guardian Caps Worn in NFL Games: 2026 Season
NFL Players Are Choosing Better Protection In Games
Five years ago, a Guardian Cap during an NFL game would have been a shock. The 2025 season had at most 24 Guardian Caps in games across the entire season. After only two weeks of preseason games, 35+ players have already worn a Guardian Cap in game and it’s a choice that more players are continuing to make.
What is the Guardian Cap rule for 2026?
The NFL confirmed it was continuing the Guardian Cap mandate for the 2026 season, with one major update: for the first time, team and players can choose between the Guardian Cap NXT and the Guardian Cap NXT 2.0, while also permitting the Guardian Cap for in game use.
Key Rules for 2026:
- Mandatory use during all contact practices (preseason, regular season, postseason) unless wearing a Guardian optional helmet
- Applies to all positions except quarterbacks, kickers, and punters
- Players are permitted to wear Guardian Caps in games if they want
- New for 2026: Teams can now choose between the Guardian Cap NXT or the Guardian Caps NXT 2.0
In short: the mandate is unchanged – but teams now have a choice in how they meet it.
NFL Players in Guardian Caps: In Games
ALARIC JACKSON- OT #77, Rams
ALE KAHO– LB #51, Commanders
CASEY WASHINGTON– WR #88, Lions
CHAVARIUS WARD– CB #7, Colts
CHRIS OLAVE– WR #12, Saints *Guardian Signature Athlete
CJ HENDERSON– CB #26, Falcons
CLAUDIN CHERELUS– LB #53, Panthers
COLE STRANGE– G #69, Chargers
DAN SKIPPER– OT #79, Lions
DOMINIQUE ROBINSON– DE #94, Texans
JALEN PIETRE– S #5, Texans *Guardian Signature Athlete
JAYDEN WILLIAMS– OL #66, Cardinals
JD BERTRAND– LB #40, Falcons
KEVIN DOTSON– OG #69, Rams
LUKE GEODEKE– OT #67, Buccaneers
MALAKI STARKS– S #24, Ravens
NATHAN SHEPARD– DL #93, Saints
RASHAWN SLATER – T #70, Chargers
RASHEED WALKER– OT #63, Panthers
ROMEO DOUBS– WR #87, Patriots *Guardian Signature Athlete
ROSCHON JOHNSON– RB #23, Bears
NFL Players in Guardian Caps: Preseason
ALE KAHO– LB #56, Commanders
BRADY CHRISTENSEN – OL #70, Panthers
C.J. HENDERSON– CB #26, Falcons
CASEY WASHINGTON– WR #88, Panthers
CEDRICK WILSON JR.– WR #86, Lions
CHAVARIUS WARD- CB#7, Colts
CHRISTEN MILLER– DL #52, Saints
CLAUDIN CHERELUS– LB #53, Panthers
COLE STRANGE- G #69, Chargers
DAN SKIPPER– OT #79, Lions
GERMIE BERNARD– WR #17, Steelers
JAYDEN WILLIAMS- OL #66, Cardinals
JD BERTRAND- LB #40, Falcons
JOSH WHYLE– TE #79, Packers
KEONDRE JACKSON – S #39, Ravens
NATHAN SHEPARD– DL #93, Saints
OMARI HAMPTON – RB #8, Chargers
RASHEED WALKER– OT #63, Panthers
ROMELLO HEIGHT- DL #94, 49ers
ROMEO DOUBS- WR #87, Patriots *Guardian Signature Athlete
RONNIE HARRISON JR.- LB #56, Dolphins
ROSCHON JOHNSON – RB #23, Bears
SAVION WILLIAMS- WR #83, Packers
