Josh Heupel discusses Vols using Guardian Caps during fall training camp

Josh Heupel discusses Tennessee using Guardian Caps during fall training camp.

Tennessee kicked off fall training camp at Haslam Field Monday.

The Vols will kick off its 2022 season Sept. 1 against Ball State at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.

Following the Vols’ first practice, second-year head coach Josh Heupel discussed Tennessee utilizing Guardian Caps on helmets during fall training camp.

“You talk about concussions and repetitive hits, I think player safety is at the forefront now of what the NCAA is trying to do and what everybody is trying to do across the country, the NFL as well,” Heupel said. “We’ve been doing it here for a long time. We’ve been fortunate that at the end of a training camp or at the end of the season, we always go back with our medical and strength and conditioning staff to look at the injuries.

“Concussions are a major part of what we look at. How do we prevent, and how do we put them in a position to stay healthy in the immediate, but long term too? Our medical staff does a fantastic job. I wish I was smart enough to recall every stat on that. I can’t, but there is a dramatic improvement in keeping kids healthy from the concussion side from those caps.”

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