With the NFL season six weeks in, injuries are changing the season already.
The debate over artificial turf and natural grass in the NFL continues to grow as players raise concerns about field conditions and the potential risks to their health. Despite these concerns, the league has stopped short of mandating grass, instead introducing new standards designed to improve the safety and consistency of both grass and artificial surfaces.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been among those calling for a league-wide switch to grass. Allen spoke about the issue in August, explaining that practicing on artificial turf left his body feeling worse the following day. He also described suffering burns on his legs that became so painful they affected his sleep. With the Bills now playing at Highmark Stadium, which features natural grass, Allen has welcomed the change while continuing to call for other teams to follow.
He is far from the only player pushing for a change. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has also spoken about feeling more soreness in his feet, ankles, knees and hips after playing on artificial turf. Kittle has argued that the difference between surfaces affects how players feel and recover after games, adding to the growing debate for the league to prioritize natural grass.
The players’ concerns are reflected in a survey conducted by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). In 2024, the union reported that 92 per cent of players surveyed preferred playing on natural grass rather than artificial turf. The results demonstrate a clear preference among players, although preference alone does not show which surface causes fewer injuries.
The question of player safety remains central to the debate. In an analysis of NFL injury data from 2012 to 2018, the NFLPA reported a 28 per cent rate of non-contact injuries on artificial turf compared with natural grass. The union also reported higher rates of non-contact knee and foot injuries on artificial turf during that period.
The analysis has helped fuel the argument for grass, particularly because non-contact injuries can occur when a player changes direction or plants a foot without being hit by another player. However, the data reflects a specific period and the relationship between playing surfaces and injuries remains questioned.
The NFL has pushed back against claims that artificial turf is less safe. The league has said its injury data has not shown a statistically significant difference in less extreme injuries or concussions that can be attributed to which surface they are playing on. League officials have also pointed to other factors that can contribute to injuries, including fatigue, previous injuries, player workload and footwear.
Rather than requiring every team to install grass, the NFL and NFLPA have introduced new playing surface standards. Beginning with the 2026 season, teams must select from approved surface options, with all stadiums required to meet the new standard by 2028. The program includes testing methods that measure factors such as field firmness and traction, with the goal of improving consistency across stadiums.
The league’s approach focuses on improving both natural and artificial surfaces rather than choosing one type for every team. Officials have argued that fields can vary significantly in their construction and performance, meaning that the quality of an individual surface matters alongside whether it is made of grass or artificial turf.
Cost and maintenance are also part of the discussion. Natural grass requires regular maintenance and may need to be replaced multiple times throughout a season depending on weather and how often the stadium is used. Artificial turf can withstand frequent use and may be more practical for venues that host concerts, soccer matches and other events in addition to football.
However, the 2026 FIFA World Cup brought attention to the issue after several NFL stadiums temporarily installed natural grass to host soccer matches before returning to artificial turf. The NFL showed that grass could be installed in stadiums that normally use artificial turf but maintaining it throughout an entire NFL season presents a different challenge.
For players such as Allen and Kittle, the debate is about more than field appearance. Their concerns center on how playing surfaces feel during games and practices, and how they affect the physical demands of a sport already associated with frequent injuries.
With the NFL moving toward stricter field standards but stopping short of a league wide grass mandate, the debate is likely to continue. Players have made their preference clear, while the league maintains that improving field quality and consistency is the priority. Whether those changes will address the concerns being raised by players remains to be seen.