Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has elected not to wear a Guardian Cap on his helmet as he returns from the third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career, putting the latest spotlight on the protective headgear.

While teammate De'Von Achane and several other NFL players have worn them this season, the 26-year-old signal-caller made it clear that he will not be using the protective shell when he returns to the field.

"Nope," he said at a Dolphins press conference on Oct. 21. "Personal choice."

Tagovailoa has missed four games since suffering a frightening concussion on Sept. 12 against the Buffalo Bills that had some current and former players advising him to retire to avoid any further head trauma.

"I appreciate your concern, I really do," Tagovailoa said at the press conference. "I love this game, and I love it to the death of me. That's it."

This is the first season that NFL players have the option to wear Guardian Caps during games and not just practice.

Here's what to know about the protective product.

What is a Guardian Cap and what does it do?

It's a protective shell that goes on top of a player's helmet and is held in place with elastic straps and Velcro, according to Guardian Sports, the maker of the product.

The shell moves independently of the helmet, which redirects the forces around the head during a collision on a football field, according to the company. Essentially, a Guardian Cap lowers the forces making impact to the head during a collision.

Can a Guardian Cap prevent a concussion?

No, it cannot. No helmet or helmet pad can completely eliminate the risk of concussion during a football game, but Guardian Caps can reduce the impact of big hits.

The NFL announced when it addressed usage rules for Guardian Caps in 2022 that the soft shell can reduce the force from head contact by 10% if one of the players in the collision is wearing one, and 20% if all players involved are wearing one.

NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller said earlier this year that Guardian Caps contributed to a nearly 50% reduction in concussions for the position groups that wore them during training camp in 2022 and 2023, according to ESPN.

Repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries raise the risk that a player can develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also known as CTE — a degenerative brain disorder that can lead to cognitive impairment, behavioral changes and mood disorders, according to the Mayo Clinic.

When did NFL players start wearing Guardian Caps?

NFL players first began testing them in practice in 2020, and then the NFL permitted them to be used on a voluntary basis during the 2021 season, according to Guardian Sports.

The league mandated use of Guardian Caps during preseason practices and practices with contact during the regular season and playoffs in 2023, according to NFL.com. They are mandatory for running backs, fullbacks, linemen and linebackers — positions that experience the most frequent collisions. Kickers, punters, quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive backs are not required to wear them in practice.

The 2024 season marks the first time players have had the option to wear them in regular-season games.

Multiple players have been seen using them, including Dolphins running back De'Von Achane, New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers, Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp, Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Indianapolis Colts tight end Kylen Granson and Tennessee Titans tight end Josh Whyle.

What have NFL players said about Guardian Caps?

It's been a somewhat mixed bag so far.

Some players have shown their support for the extra protection, while others have criticized them for the way they make players look.

"At one point people thought seatbelts were f---ing stupid,” Granson told The Athletic in August. “Why wouldn’t I (wear it)? Just because it looks silly? I feel like health and safety is more important than aesthetics.”

“I hate them. I hate the Guardian Caps. I think they’re crap,” Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed said during a practice in July, according to Sports Illustrated. “I understand the safety for them, but I’ve been playing a long time. It just looks crazy to me. I don’t like them. I’m ready to take them off."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com