The numbers come from a 2025 injury analysis reported by Judy Battista of NFL.com, and the league emphasizes that the figures cover all injuries, including concussions and upper-body ailments unrelated to the playing surface. Critics note, however, that the data do not break out injuries by type or mechanism.
Prevailing research outside the NFL has drawn a different conclusion about surface type. Studies using NCAA data from the National Center for Health Research have found turf increases the risk of certain knee injuries—most notably PCL injuries—while ACL tears are more likely on turf than grass. Those findings suggest surface choice can influence injury patterns even if overall rates look similar.
As of 2025, the balance of playing surfaces remains split by venue ownership, with 15 stadiums using grass and 15 using turf, according to ESPN. That landscape will shift when the Buffalo Bills relocate to the New Highmark Stadium, which will feature a grass surface.
MetLife Stadium has often been cited in the ongoing field-safety debate, with high-profile injuries occurring on its surface in recent years. Players such as Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, Aaron Rodgers, Malik Nabers, and Sterling Shepard have all sustained significant injuries on the field, fueling calls for a broader rethink of surface policy.
The contrast between the NFL’s broad injury-rate claim and independent research highlighting surface-specific risks keeps the debate alive. While the league argues the surface does not drive overall safety outcomes, critics contend that knee-and-leg injury patterns merit stronger consideration of grass mandates, especially as stadiums plan for future surfaces and new venues.
