"Darth Helmet" in American football

[Bystander]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceballs
Watching football (American) this weekend there are one or two people on maybe half(?) the teams sporting very oversize helmets; given rules on "targeting" and other "personal fouls," how long is "Darth Helmet" going to be allowed on the field? Will oversize headgear become mandatory?

 

[berkeman]

The more accurate name is "Guardian Caps", and they are currently mandated for NFL practices for most position groups that have hard hitting. They are optional for NFL games. Generally, players with concussion issues will be the ones who wear them in games (assuming they have cleared the standard concussion protocol first).

For high school football, I don't know if they are mandatory for practices like in the NFL, but I do know some players locally that wear them in games because they have a history of concussions.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/sports/nfl/guardian-caps-helmet-concussions-explained/4007918/

 

[Bystander]

..., annddd the increased rotational/torsional moment as far as increase/reduction of neck injuries?

 

[berkeman]

..., annddd the increased rotational/torsional moment as far as increase/reduction of neck injuries?

I don't think so. The additions are pretty light compared to the helmet they go over.