Out at MetLife Stadium, they’ve come under increased criticism. This follows a run of similar high-profile injuries capped by the recent season-ending injury to wide receiver A.T. Nabers. By last post-season, I was counting serious injuries to 15 players, including torn knee ligaments and Achilles tears. Each of these senseless tragedies has sparked debates around the safety of the playing surface. All of these injuries occurred before our new turf was installed in March 2023. That begs the question of how safe and effective these recent upgrades are in actuality.
Following this unfortunate trend, many high-profile stars have suffered injuries at MetLife Stadium. Included in that group are Jaelan Phillips, Aaron Rodgers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepard, Jabrill Peppers, and Nick Bosa. These incidents have sparked discussions about whether the playing conditions are contributing factors to the frequency and severity of such injuries. Nabers recently went down with a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee. This injury joins a growing list of serious injuries tied to the venue.
Perhaps most strikingly, nearly all of these injuries happened during training camps and not in regular season games. This growing trend only scratches the surface of what’s happening on the field—literally. It pushes us to start thinking about how it can protect player safety in practice. In 2023, MetLife Stadium was the league’s worst field—a point of contention since it has turf and grass playing surfaces. Despite the recent events that unfolded, this achievement is supported by NFL data.
The idea that MetLife’s not safe is wildly tinged by the players’ and teams’ perception of it. One of the other side’s execs expressed his concern. He admitted that his players are “petrified” playing at MetLife, due to its FieldTurf surface. Using 2024 NFL injury data, MetLife Stadium ranks as ninth-best in the league at lower-extremity injuries. This indicates that even if there are concerns among expectant parents over safety, the data may not support those perceived risks.
In what should come as encouraging news to those concerned about player safety, MetLife ranked as the safest stadium in the NFL for opposing players. This is especially important because visiting players are more likely to experience augmented risks when playing on unfamiliar surfaces. The gap between what players are experiencing and what the numbers show leads to bigger conversations about the way injuries are stigmatized in pro football.
The pattern of injuries at MetLife is hardly unprecedented. In 2017, Brandon Marshall broke his ankle here. That incident sparked serious national discussions about player safety. As the number of injuries continues to increase, teams need to make snap decisions about the safety of playing surfaces. This evaluation is absolutely essential for protecting athlete health and safety.
As discussions surrounding player safety and injury prevention evolve, stakeholders in the NFL must find a balance between maintaining high-quality playing surfaces and minimizing risks to athletes. We’ll be looking more deeply at injury data. That will allow us to figure out whether the recent improvements to MetLife Stadium’s turf have produced long-term results or whether further action is necessary.
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