A new study conducted by the NFL and NFLPA has found that lower-extremity injuries occur at similar rates on synthetic and natural turf, as reported by ESPN. The study, which analyzed all games during the 2023 season, focused on lower-extremity, non-contact injuries that resulted in missed games. The incidence rate of these injuries per 100 plays was slightly higher on synthetic turf (0.043) compared to natural turf (0.042).
This latest data is consistent with a previous joint study conducted in 2022, which also showed similar rates of lower-body, non-contact injuries on artificial and natural surfaces. However, the 2022 study revealed a slightly larger gap, with synthetic turf at 0.048 and natural turf at 0.035. Previous studies conducted by the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine in 2018 and the American Journal of Sports Medicine in 2019 found statistically significant differences in lower-extremity injury rates between turf and grass fields.
The NFL players’ union released a statement to ESPN, suggesting that the close numbers in 2023 were due to increased injuries on grass fields. They emphasized that injury data from a single year does not account for the long-standing knowledge that well-maintained grass surfaces are safer for players compared to synthetic fields. The statement also highlighted players’ preferences for consistent, high-quality grass fields, as they often feel worse after playing on synthetic surfaces.
NFL players have been vocal about their concerns regarding turf surfaces, with nearly 83 percent of surveyed players expressing their dissatisfaction in an anonymous poll conducted by The Athletic. Players argue that they experience more soreness after games on turf fields compared to grass. Several players, including Cooper Kupp, Calais Campbell, Deebo Samuel, Dalton Schultz, and the Kelce brothers, have spoken out against playing on turf in recent years.
The joint study did not differentiate between concussions sustained on turf and grass, although it found that concussion rates remained relatively stable. The NFLPA’s statement to ESPN also raised questions about the quick surface changes made by NFL stadiums for international soccer events, suggesting that the league prioritizes grass surfaces for such occasions.
At the start of the 2023 season, NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell advocated for a switch to grass, stating that it would be the NFL’s easiest decision. Howell argued that it made no sense for stadiums to switch their surfaces to comply with World Cup regulations and then revert back to turf for the NFL season. The league has begun exploring potential collaborations with FIFA to research field compositions.
Some NFL owners have countered the idea of converting their stadium surfaces to grass, claiming that it would be more challenging than anticipated. Stephen Jones, Cowboys Executive Vice President, explained that such changes would have needed to be considered during the stadium’s construction. While Dallas is converting its field to a natural-grass hybrid for hosting World Cup games, FIFA has expressed concerns about the surface’s ability to withstand the tournament’s duration.
FIFA COO Heimo Schirgi acknowledged the difficulties of the pitch conversion process, stating that ensuring a natural-grass surface that can survive the entire tournament is a significant challenge, as reported by the Dallas Morning News.
