What Does Sauce Gardner Wear Around His Neck?
Quick Answer
- Indianapolis Colts All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner wears the Q-Collar, a lightweight, C-shaped device worn at the base of the neck.
- It is the first and only FDA-cleared device designed to help protect the brain from the effects of repetitive sub-concussive head impacts.
- Gardner wore it throughout the 2024 NFL season, then became an official Q-Collar partner in 2025.
- The device works with a helmet as an additional layer of protection, not as a replacement for any equipment.
In This Piece
If you have watched the Indianapolis Colts and noticed the small collar wrapped around Sauce Gardner's neck, here is the short answer: it is a Q-Collar. The Q-Collar is the first and only FDA-cleared device designed to help protect the brain from the effects of repetitive sub-concussive head impacts, and one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL has worn it on the field since the 2024 season.
Who Is Sauce Gardner?
Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner is a shutdown cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts. Selected fourth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati, he earned first-team All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons with the New York Jets, a rare achievement for a young defensive back, before a trade sent him to Indianapolis, where he remains one of the most respected defenders in the league. Off the field, Gardner has grown into a vocal advocate for longevity and player safety.
The Device Around His Neck: The Q-Collar
The collar at the base of Gardner's neck is not a neck brace or a spinal support device. It is a Q-Collar, a lightweight, C-shaped device that rests at the base of the neck, below the helmet and above the shoulder pads. The Q-Collar is an FDA-cleared Class II medical device, and it is built to work alongside a helmet, not in place of one.
Why Sauce Gardner Wears It
Gardner found the Q-Collar while looking for ways to add another layer of protection to his game. He bought one, wore it through the 2024 season, and in 2025 became an official Q-Collar partner to help champion player safety. In his words, the Q-Collar "gives me peace of mind knowing I'm taking the extra step to better protect my brain."
How the Q-Collar Works
The Q-Collar applies light pressure to the sides of the neck, gently compressing the jugular veins. That slightly increases the volume of blood inside the skull, which helps reduce how much the brain moves inside the head during an impact. A helmet works on the outside. The Q-Collar works on the inside, closer to a seatbelt for the brain. The approach is supported by more than 25 peer-reviewed studies, and you can read the research on the Q-Collar science page.
One Layer in a Complete System
The Q-Collar Sauce Gardner wears is the same device available to athletes playing contact and collision sports. It is designed to be one part of a layered approach: a properly fitted helmet, a mouthguard, sound technique, and the Q-Collar working together. No single piece of equipment does the whole job, and the Q-Collar is built to add to that system rather than replace any part of it. For the wider picture, see our guide on what pro football players wear on their necks.
For families building a complete football safety setup, the Q-Collar product page covers pricing, sizing, and the full feature set, and the deeper football research is gathered on the Q-Collar in football page.
FOR ATHLETES
Q-Collar
The first and only FDA-cleared device designed to help protect the brain from the effects of repetitive sub-concussive head impacts in sports.
$199.00
Buy NowFrequently Asked Questions
What does Sauce Gardner wear around his neck?
Sauce Gardner wears a Q-Collar, an FDA-cleared device designed to help protect the brain from the effects of repetitive sub-concussive head impacts. He has worn it on the field since the 2024 NFL season and became an official Q-Collar partner in 2025.
Does the Q-Collar prevent concussions?
No equipment can claim to prevent concussions, however the Q-Collar is clinically validated to better protect the brain from the effects of head impacts. It is designed to be worn as part of a layered approach alongside a properly fitted helmet.
How does the Q-Collar work?
The Q-Collar applies light pressure to the jugular veins, which slightly increases the volume of blood inside the skull. That added volume helps reduce how much the brain moves inside the head during an impact.
Can other athletes wear the same Q-Collar as Sauce Gardner?
Yes. The Q-Collar is available to athletes playing contact and collision sports, from youth and high school levels through college and the pros. It is the same device the pros wear.
How much does the Q-Collar cost?
The standard Q-Collar is $199. You can find pricing and sizing on the Q-Collar product page.
