Bryce Lance Wore Guardian Cap in Second Game
New Orleans Saints receiver Bryce Lance became one of the latest players to wear the protective headgear during an NFL game.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Football
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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bryce Lance wore a Guardian Cap during his second career NFL game. The soft shell covering is designed to reduce the force of impact during collisions on the field.
Why it matters
The adoption of Guardian Caps reflects an ongoing NFL effort to mitigate head injuries among players. By wearing the shell over his regulation helmet, Lance joins a growing group of athletes utilizing the technology in game settings.
Approximately 20 players wore a Guardian Cap during the 2025 season after the NFL first permitted their use in games in 2024. Bryce Lance previously recorded three catches in his NFL debut before opting for the protective shell in his second appearance.
The players
Bryce Lance
He is a wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints who played college football at North Dakota State.
Chris Olave
He is a professional wide receiver who also chose to wear a Guardian Cap during the opening week of the season.
New Orleans Saints
This is a professional American football team based in New Orleans that competes in the NFL.
The details
The Guardian Cap is a soft protective shell that players attach to their regulation NFL helmets. The league initially approved the gear for use on practice fields in 2020 before expanding eligibility to regular-season games in 2024.
Timeline
The NFL first permitted Guardian Caps on practice fields in 2020.
League rules first allowed players to wear the caps in games starting in 2024.
About 20 players wore a Guardian Cap during the 2025 season.
Chris Olave wore the protective headgear during Week 1 of the season.
Bryce Lance wore a Guardian Cap during his second NFL game in Week 2.
Season Trajectory
The increased visibility of Guardian Caps in game settings represents a shift in player safety protocols across the NFL. As more high-profile receivers adopt the technology, it signals a potential standard change for protective equipment in the league.
Bryce Lance's use of the Guardian Cap highlights a trend in protective gear usage that may influence younger players. His choice to wear the shell does not impact his roster status or eligibility for future games.
The takeaway
The visibility of players choosing to wear Guardian Caps in games highlights the evolving culture of player safety in professional football. Fans can expect to see a growing variety of protective gear choices as players prioritize long-term health on the field.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments on the gridiron in the Football section.
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