San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is the latest player to complain about the U.S. Bank Stadium turf.
“It’s very springy, but it’s basically cement,” Kittle told media Thursday, according to SF Chronicle. “So when you slam on it, it really stinks. It’s not a very good turf. It’s not a very safe turf, either. … I don’t know — it’s just player safety that we’re talking about.”
Kittle was seen hobbling on the sideline late in Monday night’s 22-17 loss to the Vikings, after banging his knee on the turf.
The Vikings are one of six teams currently using “slit-film turf,” which has been shown to have higher rates of injuries according to NFLPA data, though the NFL disputes this claim.
Vikings star receiver after slipping on the turf against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium, the same game that saw Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce suffer an apparent ankle injury after slipping.Justin Jefferson was put on injured reserve after slipping on the turf against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium, the same game that saw Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce suffer an apparent ankle injury after slipping.
The controversial turf, which was installed in 2019, is set to be replaced in the spring of 2024.
