Turf wars: Changes unlikely at MetLife Stadium despite 49ers’ complaints, injuries
The 49ers are hoping the NFL will do something about the artificial turf at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before they play there for the second straight time Sunday.
But it doesn’t sound like drastic changes are coming despite San Francisco losing key players, including quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and defensive end Nick Bosa, to ankle and knee injuries Sunday in their win over the Jets. The 49ers are slated to play at MetLife against the New York Giants on Sunday.
“The independent field inspector completed an inspection on September 12 and certified that the field was in compliance with all applicable NFL policies, including the Mandatory Practices for Artificial Surfaces,” the league wrote in a statement as released by NFL Network on Monday.
Numerous 49ers players complained about the sticky turf following Sunday’s game. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said it was something players talked about on the sidelines throughout, even before Bosa was twisted up on a running play and carted off the field in the first quarter with a potential season-ending ACL tear.
“That’s as many knee injuries and ankle stuff and people getting caught on the turf as I’ve ever been a part of,” Shanahan said afterward.
Shanahan on Monday said general manager John Lynch had been in communication about the playing surface with Troy Vincent, the league’s executive vice president of football operations. But as the league’s statement indicates, there don’t appear to be significant changes on the horizon.
“Hopefully at some time we get some answers back that can make our players feel a little bit more at ease playing it next week,” Shanahan said Monday on a Zoom conference call.
Garoppolo’s status for Sunday is up in the air while he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain that forced him to leave Sunday’s blowout victory at halftime. Bosa is likely done for the season, as is fellow defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, who was also carted off two plays after Bosa. The 49ers could also be without two of their top running backs, Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman, for multiple games stemming from knee injuries coming out of Sunday’s contest.
Arik Armstead, a newly voted team captain this year, tweeted to the NFL that the field was “trash” and needed fixing.
“You felt the turf was pretty thick and guys seemed to be getting stuck in the ground more than regularly and a bunch of our players went down,” Armstead said. “It just wasn’t real fun to be a part of and see that happen to your teammates.”
Added linebacker Fred Warner, also a new captain for 2020: “The turf was kind of spongy. But in terms of us playing there again next week, it’s something you can’t really think about. If you go out there and your mind is on ‘We have got to play on this turf, we have got to play on this turf,’ you’re bound to get hurt, especially slowing down and playing slow.”
Sunday’s game was just the second played on the turf since it was installed this offseason. The Giants and Steelers played there on “Monday Night Football” in Week 1, with Pittsburgh losing offensive lineman Zach Banner to a knee injury and running back James Conner to an ankle injury. The Giants held training camp practices and walkthroughs there with no known issues.
“It’s a good surface,” Giants coach Joe Judge told reporters Monday when asked about the 49ers’ complaints. “It’s our home. We’re excited to play there next week.”
Shanahan was asked Monday if the 49ers plan to adjust their footwear for Sunday’s game.
“We’ll look into everything this week,” he said. “But you’re talking about stuff gripping and stuff too much. I would think the only thing you could do is take off cleats, which isn’t fun either. Hopefully we’ll get something from the NFL that makes us feel better about that, but I know the players and our equipment guys will be looking at everything possible to help us with that turf.”
