Tony Pollard, the Dallas Cowboys running back, picked up an injury during the Cowboys’ playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Levi’s Stadium on Sunday. The reporting from the stadium states that Pollard was taken to the x-ray room in a cart where his injury will be examined to check if it serious. It is unlikely that he will play any further role in the playoff game.
What does Pollard wear on the neck?
Tony Pollard wears a Q collar on his head, around the neck, in order to protect it from damage during intense moments in the game.
The Q-Collar is a tiny, featherweight necklace-style device that gently presses against the internal jugular vein of the wearer. A metal spring located inside the plastic frame holds the collar in position. In an effort to prevent concussions, the goal is to improve blood flow to the area around the brain upon impact.
When the flow of blood increases, it acts like a cushion for the victim when crashes or unforeseen incidents happen on the pitch.
Dalton Schultz, the Cowboys tight-end, also wears a Q-collar to protect himself from serious head injuries.
Here’s a list of NFL players who are frequently spotted wearing the Q-collar:
- Los Angeles Chargers LB Drue Tranquill
- Carolina Panthers LB Shaq Thompson
- Los Angeles Rams S Taylor Rapp
- Philadelphia Eagles RB Boston Scott
- Seattle Seahawks TE Colby Parkinson
With concussion a common occurrence in football, Q-collar are useful equipment for head protection.
