The number of injuries sustained when playing on artificial turf has become one of the main topics of discussion this NFL season. More players are voicing their opinions in this discourse, urging the NFL and its owners to convert from turf grounds to grass ones in order to reduce the number of injuries, especially those affecting the lower body.
This season, the turf has caused many NFL stars to collapse. Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets tore his achilles on the team’s opening drive. In addition to Rodgers, other important players who have had these kinds of injuries include Justin Jefferson, Jaelan Phillips, Daniel Jones, Kirk Cousins, and Matt Milano.
The Minnesota Vikings are going through some adjustment as a result of Jefferson’s injury in particular. Early in October, fourth-year receiver Jefferson had a non-contact hamstring injury that put him on injured reserve and kept him out of action for seven games. Before getting hurt, Jefferson was setting records for the Vikings in the first three games of the season, gaining more than 150 yards in each of them.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, the Vikings have since confirmed that they will be moving from slit-film turf to Act Global Xtreme Turf DX. The new turf has a reduced injury rate, even if many players would prefer a return to grass.
The reason the Vikings are not entirely moving away from turf is because U.S. Bank Stadium cannot create grass, according to the executive vice president and chief business administration officer of the team. According to Poppen, “U.S. Bank Stadium was built as a multipurpose facility.” “It was intended for use on synthetic surfaces. According to ESPN, “We are unable to plant grass in that stadium at this time.
