Concussions decrease to historic low in 2024 NFL season

The National Football League announced today injury data for the 2024 season, which revealed a significant decrease in concussions. Key results include:

• Decrease in concussions to a historic low, including a 17% reduction compared to the 2023 season, including all practices and games in both the preseason and regular season.
• Largest safety improvement in helmets worn on field since 2021.
• Continued reduction in lower extremity strains for the 2024 season.

Significant decrease in concussions

Concussions decreased 17% compared to last season and 12% compared to the 2021-23 season average. This decrease builds on a record preseason, which had the fewest number of concussions in practices and games since 2015 and comes as the league continues to aggressively identify and evaluate concussions (doctors continue to evaluate 3-4 players for every concussion diagnosis). Other important factors in this season’s reduction include the largest safety improvement in helmets worn on field since 2021, enforcement of safety rules and broader efforts to continue fostering a culture of safety.

“Today is an important milestone but not the end of our work,” said 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.”

Dynamic Kickoff

The new Dynamic Kickoff rule worked as intended. Returns increased 57% in the regular season and there were 7 kickoffs returned for touchdowns, the most since 2021. The new rule slowed the average player speeds, as intended, which led to a lower concussion rate (down 43% vs. 2021-23 average) and the fewest lower extremity strains on the play since at least 2018. This is among the data that will be shared with the Competition Committee as the Dynamic Kickoff is revisited this offseason following the one-year rule change.

“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,” said Dr. Allen Sills, NFL chief medical officer. “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.”

Continued progress on reducing lower-extremity injuries

Lower extremity injuries continue to cause the greatest time lost for players. Efforts to reduce those injuries through a training camp acclimation period as well as the utilization of tools like the Digital Athlete, which helps clubs identify player efforts and therefore injury, have been successful during the past two seasons. This year continued the trend with a reduction in time-loss lower extremity (LEX) strains for the 2024 preseason and regular season. Time-loss lower-extremity strains were down 14% compared to 2021 — the last season before the acclimation ramp-up period was introduced.

The Dynamic Kickoff rule also contributed to the lower extremity injury savings. Shorter distances and fewer high-speed efforts reduced the incidence of lower extremity strains by 48% on that play alone.

Looking ahead

During this offseason, health and safety priorities will include further analyzing the Dynamic Kickoff, reviewing the first year of the hip-drop tackle ban, and continuing to limit avoidable head contact and further reduce concussions.