Serious injuries are piling up at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets. Since the beginning of 2020, there have already been 15 cruciate ligament or Achilles tendon tears on the field. Is this mere coincidence – or is there more to it?

Second quarter between the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers. Jaxson Dart throws a deep pass along the right sideline – a free play after the Chargers’ defensive line jumped offside – toward Malik Nabers. But as he jumped up for the ball, which was ultimately out of reach, his right leg seemed to buckle.

Nabers remained on the ground at the Chargers’ 7-yard line, 6:12 minutes before halftime. He immediately grabbed his right leg, was examined for several minutes, and was eventually taken off the field on a cart.

Shortly after the end of the game, it was clear: the second-year receiver had torn his cruciate ligament, ending his season.

This is not the first time a football player has suffered a serious injury at the home stadium of the Jets and Giants that has ended their season. Since 2020, there have been 15 cruciate ligament and Achilles tendon tears, including big stars such as Nick Bosa (2020), Jabrill Peppers (2021), Kyle Fuller (2022), Aaron Rodgers (2023), and this season Malik Nabers.

Several cruciate ligament and Achilles tendon injuries have also occurred in other stadiums since 2020: five cases at Ford Field in Detroit, six at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, and six at Cleveland Browns Stadium. All of these arenas have artificial turf.

Medical assessment clearly speaks against “turf”

Brian Feeley, orthopedic surgeon at the University of California in San Francisco and head of sports medicine and shoulder surgery, explained in an interview: “The most common injuries in our study—both on artificial turf and natural grass—were cruciate ligament tears.”

“Statistically, there were significantly more cruciate ligament injuries requiring surgery on artificial turf than on natural grass. Achilles tendon injuries were the second most common cause of surgery – and these also occurred more frequently on artificial turf.”

Feeley’s closing statement is clear: “It is important to recognize the increased risk of lower extremity injuries on artificial turf fields – especially serious injuries that result in long periods of time off. This has been shown by our study as well as other studies in football and other sports, including professional soccer. Sports teams should continue to look for ways to reduce the risk of injury.”

NFL: The dangers of artificial turf

Several key points illustrate the dangers of artificial turf: On natural grass, the ground gives way – cleats dig in, grass and soil tear up, and some of the kinetic energy is absorbed. Artificial turf, on the other hand, is harder, more uniform, and less yielding. This means that greater forces act directly on joints, tendons, and ligaments. Another problem is the so-called “sticking effect”: shoes get stuck more often on artificial turf. During quick changes of direction or unfortunate landings, the foot can remain fixed while the knee or ankle continues to rotate, increasing the risk of cruciate ligament and ankle injuries.

Added to this is the intense heat: in summer, artificial turf often heats up to more than 20 degrees more than natural turf. This extreme temperature puts additional strain on muscles and tendons, causing them to tire more quickly and become more susceptible to injury.

The players’ perception also plays a role: many professionals report that their legs feel heavier and more painful after playing on artificial turf. That is why the NFLPA players’ union has been calling for years for artificial turf to be replaced by natural turf again.

Why is the NFL so strongly opposed to natural grass?

Artificial turf offers clear economic and organizational advantages for the NFL. Many stadiums are used not only for football, but also for concerts and other events. While natural grass often needs to be replaced after such use, artificial turf withstands this stress better.

In addition, natural grass incurs significantly higher maintenance costs: it must be watered, aerated, and regularly repaired, while artificial turf is comparatively easy to maintain. Climatic conditions also play a role, as in some regions, grass hardly grows in winter, so artificial turf guarantees a consistent playing surface.

What’s more, it always looks immaculate on television and provides a consistent look for broadcasts. Many arenas have also been built or modernized at a cost of billions – including artificial turf as standard – so converting to natural grass would require investment.

Why are injuries particularly common at MetLife?

One key factor is the dual use by the New York Giants and the New York Jets, which puts a particularly high strain on the playing field.

Although it is artificial turf, the quality of the surface can suffer from the large number of games and training sessions. Added to this is the players’ perception: several prominent injuries at MetLife have reinforced the impression that the stadium is particularly dangerous, which can further unsettle the athletes.

This combination of heavy use, the special surface, and an unusual accumulation of injuries explains why this stadium in particular is so much in the spotlight.

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