On balance, Sunday was a great day for the New York Jets, who moved their record to 3-3 with a win over the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. But it came with an injury scare to star receiver Garrett Wilson, who voiced a familiar complaint about his home field after the game.
Wilson briefly left the game with a dreaded non-contact injury. While turf fields in general have been highly scrutinized in recent seasons, MetLife Stadium, home of Wilson’s Jets and the New York Giants has come under heavy criticism. That increased following Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury in the first game of the Jets’ season.
Fortunately, Wilson seems to have avoided anything serious. Wilson returned to the game. After it, the turf was still fresh on his mind though as Wilson said (per Rich Cimini, ESPN) that the MetLife Stadium turf was “garbage.”
Garrett Wilson, who went out for a bit with what appeared to be a non-contact injury, said the turf is “garbage.” He emerged OK, but not happy with the surface. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) October 16, 2023
Wilson is clearly not alone in that feeling.
Put a grass field down @woodyjohnson4 https://t.co/wbWTUjTR3w
— Drew Nantz (@TheDonDrew) October 16, 2023
Cc @woodyjohnson4 #Jets https://t.co/r4Jxw8mVrH
— Jets Memes (@MemesJets) October 16, 2023
Turf is a high tech solution to a nonproblem. Use grass fields!
The MetLife Stadium field is a real problem for the @NFL. https://t.co/WxlDCflUim
— Sean Mullaney (@SeanMoneyandTax) October 16, 2023
Attention @woodyjohnson4, maybe when you lose your franchise qb and now almost your best WR, maybe you should take notice https://t.co/2EfGiVDaf9
— Doug Stafford (@dougstafford) October 16, 2023
MetLife would actually be one of the tougher stadiums to move from turf to grass, due to the fact that two teams call it home. It would have to be something the Jets and Giants would both said.
That said, it feels unlikely that any player from either team (or any of the other 30 in the NFL) would protest. Perhaps fans of the Giants and Jets can put their minds together and find a way to make their voices heard in time for the Week 8 game when the Giants will “host” the Jets.
[Rich Cimini on Twitter]
