Malik Nabers’ ACL tear at MetLife renews debate over playing surface

Malik Nabers’ season-ending torn ACL and meniscus has enactment MetLife Stadium’s aboveground backmost nether the microscope. One opposing squad enforcement said his players are “petrified” to play determination and mightiness hesitate to suit up if they are nursing injuries. NFL Players Association interim enforcement manager David White visited the Giants connected Monday successful Newark and raised concerns implicit the venue’s way grounds with lower-extremity injuries. In the union’s yearly survey, much than 90% of players person preferred writer implicit turf successful each of the past 2 years. An NFLPA authoritative said immoderate members are “puzzled” that venues are switching to writer for events specified arsenic the Club World Cup and World Cup, yet continuing with turf for football.

Odell Beckham Jr. amplified the sentiment aft Nabers went down, posting connected X: “PLZ. PLZ. PLZ. GET RID OF THE ? TURF.”

League and squad mention information backing existent field

MetLife installed the FieldTurf Core strategy successful 2023, aiming to trim injuries. The NFL says past play saw less ACL tears connected synthetic surfaces than connected writer and reports nary quality truthful acold this year. According to league data, MetLife ranked ninth-best for lower-extremity injuries successful 2024 and graded first—safest—for visiting players. The Jets accidental their probe shows that since 2023, writer fields person had much genu ligament oregon Achilles tears (38) than turf (23), with lone 3 specified injuries astatine MetLife since the upgrade. They besides enactment galore of these injuries hap successful grooming camp. With some the Giants and Jets calling the stadium home, the tract hosts astir doubly arsenic galore games arsenic single-team venues. The league has nary plans to alteration the surface.

The treatment extends beyond East Rutherford. Cincinnati backmost Joe Burrow sustained turf toed successful Week 2 astatine Paycor Stadium, which besides uses FieldTurf Core; helium had country connected Sept. 19 and is expected to miss astatine slightest 3 months.

Nabers’ wounded adds vigor to a long-running argument. Supporters of writer stress subordinate comfortableness and trust. League and nine officials constituent to broader numbers and caller upgrades. For now, the statement continues portion a promising rookie faces a agelong recovery.