Redskins will rock gray face masks against the Vikings

The Redskins wore stripe-less helmets with their throwback uniforms last season. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post)

When the Redskins take the field against the Vikings on Sunday at FedEx Field, they’ll apparently do so in throwback uniforms as part of the team’s annual “alumni homecoming weekend” festivities.

On Monday, the Redskins posted a Vine of the helmet they’ll wear against Minnesota. Like last year’s helmets for Washington’s homecoming game, the helmet stripes have been removed. This year, the Redskins’ regular gold face masks have also been replaced with gray face masks.

Burgundy helmet, no stripe and gray face mask for #MINvsWAS. https://t.co/LDj3hl07du

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) November 7, 2016

For the past few years, the Redskins’ throwbacks were based off the uniforms the franchise sported in 1932. In 2012, the Redskins wore helmets designed to look like brown leather with their throwbacks, a nod to authenticity that brought the look together.

Beginning in 2013, the NFL, citing safety reasons, prohibited teams from switching helmets during the season. While stripes, logos and face masks may be removed or interchanged, the same shells must be used all season. According to Uni Watch, the thinking behind the rule is that new helmets can be unsafe if worn without a “break-in” period.

As a result of the one-shell rule, the Redskins’ helmets have clashed with their throwback uniforms, which are a darker burgundy. The Redskins have not officially announced the uniforms they will wear against the Vikings.