NFL players fight for natural grass fields as league disputes safety concerns
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle argues that 90% of players prefer to play on natural grass, but the NFL counters with data showing similar injury rates across surfaces.
The push comes after many stadiums hosted FIFA World Cup matches in 2026 and swapped artificial turf for grass. Decision-makers are split, with some, like Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, advocating strongly for natural grass despite higher maintenance costs.
“There was no way I was going to build the stadium or anything else to play on artificial turf,” Davis said to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.NFL data from 2012-2018 showed a 28% higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries on turf compared to grass. Players also cite longer recovery times and more force on their legs when playing on artificial turf.
NFL maintains injury rates are similar across surfaces
According to Nick Pappas, NFL field director, data from 2021 and 2025 shows nearly identical injury rates for grass and turf. However, the NFLPA found that prior to 2021, non-contact injuries were higher on turf in each of nine consecutive years.
“When we look across injury data, we no longer see this as an injury issue,