The NFL is pushing back against claims that natural grass reduces player injuries compared to artificial turf. Players and the NFL Players Association are calling for a full switch to grass fields following the 2026 World Cup.
Raiders owner Mark Davis has voiced strong support for natural grass, citing safety concerns and his decision to install it in the team's Las Vegas stadium. He told the Las Vegas Review-Journal last weekend that turf was never an option due to its impact on players.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle said this summer that an estimated 90 percent of players prefer grass. Half of NFL stadiums already use it, with the Arizona Cardinals maintaining a similar setup for two decades.
The league maintains there is no meaningful difference in injury rates. NFL field director Nick Pappas said Tuesday on The Dan Patrick Show that recent data from 2021 and 2025 shows similar outcomes across surfaces.
The NFLPA has cited older data from 2012 to 2018 showing higher non-contact lower extremity injuries on turf. The current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2030 season.
