It sounds like the NFL's field operations department will take a closer look at the field turf at MetLife Stadium following several injuries on Sunday afternoon. The news comes from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan fears that star defensive end Nick Bosa may be lost for the season due to an ACL injury. Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas and running backs Jerick McKinnon and Tevin Coleman also sustained knee injuries. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is likely to miss time with a high-ankle sprain, also suffered on Sunday.
The team entered the game without tight end George Kittle (knee), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (foot), defensive end Dee Ford (neck), and cornerback Richard Sherman (calf).
Head coach Kyle Shanahan and several of his players expressed frustration with the playing surface after the game.
"Who knows? I don't know exactly why it happened," Shanahan said. "But as far as the feeling that was on the sidelines, I know that's as many knee injuries and ankle stuff and people getting caught on the turf as I've ever been a part of. From what I saw, the other team did too. I know our players talked about it the entire game, just how sticky the turf was. ... Unfortunately, it's a place we've got to go back to next week."
@nfl fix this trash met life turf . 2020 is so wack
— Arik Armstead (@arikarmstead) September 20, 2020
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead was asked after Sunday's game how he felt about playing on the field again in one week.
"A lot of anxiety," Armstead responded. "We see guys you love go down and get hurt, and we've got to come back here and play again on the surface, that's anxiety-provoking to see that happen and know you have to deal with it again."
Defensive tackle D.J. Jones also expressed his feelings via a tweet about the field at MetLife Stadium.
That turf gotta go
— DJ Jones (@djjones_44) September 20, 2020
The 49ers will stay and practice on the East Coast this week before returning to MetLife Stadium next weekend to play the New York Giants.
"49ers tight end Jordan Reed said he didn't notice anything amiss with the turf," reports Florio. "Also, a league source tells PFT that the Steelers had no complaints after playing there on Monday night. The Giants likewise had no issues with the field in Week One against Pittsburgh."
H/t to Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports Bay Area for the find.
