Sports

MetLife Turf Nearly Claims Another Victim As Garrett Wilson Leaves With Non-Contact Injury

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Garrett Wilson walks onto the field at MetLife Stadium.

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The MetLife Stadium turf nearly claimed another victim on Sunday in the form of star wide receiver Garrett Wilson. The pass catcher went down with a non-contact injury early in the Jets’ matchup with the Eagles.

The playing surface has been a topic of conversation over the years given a string of player injuries. Still, New York refuses to switch to grass.

That refusal has to do with the number of matchups played each season in the stadium, given both the Giants and Jets play their home games at MetLife.

“Natural grass did not hold up for the busy fall schedule with two teams, 20 NFL home games and the Northeast climate,” said Helen Strus, VP of marketing for the venue.

Still, many believe grass to be the safer option.

MetLife, in particular, has seen a fair share of non-contact injuries.

“NFL, fix this trash MetLife turf,” wrote Arik Armstead in a now deleted tweet following a 2020 matchup that saw Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas, Jimmy Garoppolo, Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman all get hurt in the same game.

There was also this Jordan Reed injury that same season.

“That’s the turf again. FieldTurf doesn’t divot like natural grass — there is no give. Feet get stuck and ankles get hurt at a 38% higher rate (according to one study).

“Jordan Reed is the next victim.” -David Lombardi

The Jets, too, have been hit with non-contact injuries, including seeing wide receiver Lawrence Cager’s knee buckle while running a route a few seasons back. Many feared the same happened to Garrett Wilson on Sunday after seeing the star leave the game.

The injury looked potentially scary on first sight, but Wilson was able to shake the setback after a few moments on the sidelines and return to the field.

New York has already seen the MetLife turf debate spark this season given Aaron Rodgers’ Week 1 injury. Luckily, the Jets didn’t have another player fall victim to the playing surface on Sunday.