The San Francisco 49ers’ feud with the turf at MetLife Stadium is far from over.
There has been one feud that’s gotten the most attention this NFL season, and it’s not team vs. team. Rather, it’s the San Francisco 49ers and MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets. The 49ers played two consecutive weeks in East Rutherford, NJ, and they suffered brutal injuries. One of those players is starting running back Raheem Mostert, who suffered a mild MCL sprain in the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Jets.
Speaking of the “Gang Green” team, they hosted the Denver Broncos on Thursday evening, and multiple players went down with injuries. Mostert happened to be tuned into this game, and couldn’t help but tweet his displeasure for MetLife’s turf, calling the NFL to shut it down.
The league deemed MetLife’s field up to league standards
San Francisco’s battle with MetLife Stadium did come as a bit of a shock, considering there were no injuries suffered during the Giant’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. But Week 2’s contest with the Jets was a nightmare for the 49ers. Defensive linemen Joey Bosa both tore their ACL’s and are done for the season. Starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo left the game with a high-ankle sprain. Running back Tevin Coleman picked up a knee injury that forced the team to place him on the injured reserve.
Week 3’s game against the Giants was no better, as backup tight end Jordan Reed twisted his ankle in the end zone, and upon returning later in the game, suffered a knee sprain that will sideline him for six-to-eight weeks.
The 49ers called for the league to investigate the field at MetLife Stadium following the Jets contest, but an independent field inspector deemed that the turf was good to go for the 49ers-Giants contest. Even after that, the 49ers were not pleased with the decision. In fact, NFL Players Association president and Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter has called for all stadiums to replace artificial turf to natural grass with the focus on reducing injuries.
While Mostert and the 49ers are done with MetLife Stadium for the rest of the year, that’s not going to stop them from criticizing the field, especially when the injuries accumulate.