The NFL is encouraged by progress made in reducing concussions while stressing there is much more work to be done.

On Thursday, the league said the number of concussions dropped 29 per cent in 2018 from the previous season, according to preliminary data. It added that there were 135 documented concussions, down from 190. By including preseason games and practices, concussions fell from a high of 281 to 214, a 23.8 per cent decrease. That was the lowest total since the 2014 season (206 reported concussions).

Of the 538 evaluations for concussions, the league says, 75 per cent ultimately showed no concussions.

B次元官网网址淎s we like to say,B次元官网网址� noted Jeff Miller, the NFLB次元官网网址檚 executive vice-president of health and safety, B次元官网网址渨hile weB次元官网网址檙e pleased with the fact that concussion numbers are down B次元官网网址� and down significantly this year B次元官网网址� when it comes to the health and safety of our players, thereB次元官网网址檚 no finish line. This is a multi-year process. WeB次元官网网址檒l keep at this and weB次元官网网址檒l try to figure out why these changes happened, and weB次元官网网址檒l try to figure out where we set goals. ThereB次元官网网址檚 still room for improvement.B次元官网网址�

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The league began releasing concussion data in 2012.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a significant decrease B次元官网网址� but weB次元官网网址檙e also more interested in why that decrease happened, as opposed to what the number is,B次元官网网址� Miller said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the sort of work we need to roll up our sleeves and do between now and the (NFL) combine (next month).B次元官网网址�

The league also shared data with seven teams whose 2017 training camp practices resulted in a higher number of concussions. Six of those teams saw a reduction in training camp concussions in 2018, according to Dr. Allen Sills, the NFLB次元官网网址檚 chief medical officer.

Sills said the other 25 teams would also receive such information this year.

A commitment to in-depth helmet research helped lead to fewer concussions as well. The NFL created a checklist for players, ranking helmets in either green, yellow or red categories. Those in the red area will be banned starting this year.

For the 2017 season finale, 41 per cent of the players wore the higher-rated helmets. In 2018, that increased to 74 per cent, while only 2 per cent stuck with the lowest-ranked helmets thanks to a one-year grandfather clause.

More helmet testing will be done this year, with perhaps as many as 10 new models.

B次元官网网址淲e are excited and grateful for the changes that weB次元官网网址檝e seen,B次元官网网址� Sills said, B次元官网网址渁nd we feel like this decrease is not a random variance but a reflection that the data-driven approach has made an impact.B次元官网网址�

Also being researched are mouth guards with data-gathering sensors similar to what the University of Virginia team used in 2018. Miller said some players, likely on four teams, will test them.

The league also says the number of anterior cruciate ligament tears increased by three to a total to 57. And medial cruciate ligament injuries that caused players to miss playing time were down by 12, from 143 to 131. Sills said the NFL will target reducing other injuries, particularly to the lower body, this year. Among the categories to be researched are turf, cleats, training regimens, and the mechanics of the injuries.

B次元官网网址淭his is not a one-year project,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an ongoing commitment on our part to drive down injuries, not only concussions, but also other parts of the body.B次元官网网址�

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Barry Wilner, The Associated Press

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