Starting in 2026, every NFL helmet will monitor impacts in real time. The league mandated Riddell’s InSite-2 smart helmets for all 32 teams, marking the most aggressive player safety rule in modern history. Sensors capture 1,000 measurements per second and alert medical staff within seconds of concerning hits.
The Helmet That Changed Everything
Riddell’s InSite-2 system embeds impact sensors directly into the helmet shell. These sensors capture data at 1,000 measurements per second, delivering medical-grade precision tracking the force, location, and frequency of every hit a player absorbs during live play.
The real breakthrough is the speed of response. When a player takes a hit that crosses concerning thresholds, sideline medical staff receive an alert within seconds. No waiting for a player to self-report symptoms. No relying on spotters in the press box to catch what happened at full speed.
This shifts the entire concussion protocol from reactive to proactive. Instead of asking “did that look bad?”, medical teams now get objective data telling them exactly how bad it was. Players aren’t resisting safety technology anymore. They’re embracing it.
Inside the Smart Helmet Technology
What makes the InSite-2 practical for game day is its invisibility. The sensors add less than two ounces to the helmet’s total weight. Players report no difference in comfort, balance, or mobility compared to traditional models.
Behind the scenes, the system runs on cloud-based analytics that aggregate impact data across entire seasons. Teams can now track cumulative hit exposure for individual players over weeks and months, impact patterns by position and play type, and early warning indicators that predict elevated injury risk.
A linebacker who absorbs 40 sub-concussive hits per game now has a documented record that informs practice load, snap counts, and rest periods. This longitudinal view is rare in football. The data protects long-term brain health across entire careers while giving teams a competitive edge in managing player performance and recovery.
