New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers suffered a season-ending torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee after leaping for a pass, reigniting concerns over the FieldTurf playing surface at MetLife Stadium.
Opposing team executives have expressed apprehension about the turf, saying players are cautious when playing on it, particularly if recovering from injuries. NFLPA interim executive director David White also raised concerns during a visit to the Giants, citing the stadium’s history of severe lower-extremity injuries.
MetLife Stadium Injury History and Turf Upgrades Aim to Reduce Player Risks
MetLife Stadium has seen at least 15 knee ligament or Achilles injuries since 2020, affecting notable players like Aaron Rodgers, Nick Bosa, and Sterling Shepard. While many of these injuries occurred before the 2023 installation of the updated FieldTurf Core system, the stadium has historically been associated with high-profile lower-extremity injuries. Some prominent wide receivers, including Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall, also suffered serious ankle injuries at MetLife.
Malik Nabers (NFL)The updated FieldTurf Core system was intended to reduce injuries, and NFL data indicates fewer ACL injuries on synthetic turf than grass in recent years. The New York Jets’ research shows that since 2023, there have been fewer knee or Achilles injuries on MetLife’s turf compared with grass fields, with most injuries occurring during training camps. MetLife ranked ninth-best for lower-extremity injuries in 2024, and visiting players actually had the safest experience compared with other NFL stadiums.
Players Prefer Grass Over Turf, Yet NFL Maintains Current MetLife Playing Surface
Despite statistical data supporting turf safety, player sentiment heavily favors grass. More than 90% of players surveyed in the past two years prefer grass surfaces. High-profile players like Odell Beckham Jr. have publicly called for the NFL to remove turf at MetLife, citing concerns for player health. Players have expressed confusion over why some stadiums switch to grass for soccer events yet retain turf for football.
Although Nabers’ injury reignited debate, the NFL currently has no plans to replace the FieldTurf Core system at MetLife. Discussions about turf safety have been ongoing, with earlier concerns following Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s turf toe injury on a FieldTurf Core system at Paycor Stadium. The league and NFLPA continue to monitor injury trends and player feedback, balancing safety data with operational decisions about playing surfaces.
