The New England Patriots have switched out their playing surface at Gillette Stadium numerous times over the years because they did not feel it was up to their standards, and apparently some visiting players have felt the same way.
The Patriots replaced their FieldTurf playing surface last month after a new one had just been installed in May. On Wednesday, some members of the Carolina Panthers said they were unhappy with the new turf when they faced the Patriots last Sunday. Safety Demetrious Cox believes he sprained his ankle because of it.
“They’ve got a new turf. I think my foot just got caught in the turf funny and then it twisted,” Cox said, via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “It was really soft. Guys kept saying that their feet were getting caught. … It was kind of weird.”
Panthers kicker Graham Gano said he felt like his foot was getting caught on the surface when he kicked the ball off.
“It’s not a great field. But I understand because they play in cold weather it’s got to be a little bit different,” he said. “From what I heard they have to put a lot more sand in it so it doesn’t freeze during the winter. But it wasn’t the most ideal conditions. You could tell it was a new field.”
Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin has been dealing with a knee injury, and the Observer’s Jourdan Rodrigue noted that he was another player who was unhappy with the field turf in New England.
The Patriots have not yet complained about their newest playing surface, but they didn’t say anything publicly about the last field that was replaced. It will be interesting to see if the new turf survives the season.
H/T CBS Boston
