Why Dolphins' Cedrick Wilson Jr. has a different-looking helmet than his Miami teammates

Cedrick Wilson Jr. isn't the most important player on the Miami Dolphins by any means.

But he stands out on the NFL field this season for a different reason: His helmet looks bigger than all the others.

It's not actually his helmet, though.

Wilson is prioritizing the health of his head and doing it with a relatively new tool.

Why does Cedrick Wilson's helmet look different?

Wilson's helmet looks different because he's wearing a Guardian Cap.

That's not actually a different helmet. It's a protective, soft shell covering designed to go over the helmet itself. It's meant to limit or prevent head injuries.

Guardian Caps were first allowed to be worn on NFL practice fields in 2020.

The first time players could wear Guardian Caps in games was 2024.

There is no documented evidence of Wilson having sustained a concussion in the NFL. This is just his way of trying to keep his head safe.