Andy Reid blames Cardinals’ home turf for injuries to Chiefs K Harrison Butker, 1st-round rookie Trent McDuffie
Trent #Trent
An NFL field is being blamed for injuries in the NFL’s opening weekend.
No, it’s not the notoriously shoddy Soldier Field turf that was deluged by downpour prior to Sunday’s Bears-49ers game. Instead it’s the meticulously manicured turf of State Farm Stadium that famously sits on a tray that allows caretakers to slide the field outside of the Arizona Cardinals’ domed home stadium for natural sunlight exposure.
Two Kansas City Chiefs players sustained injuries during Sunday’s 44-21 win over the Cardinals. Kicker Harrison Butker rolled the ankle on his plant leg during a kickoff. He left the field on a cart, and safety Justin Reid took over extra-point duties in his absence. Meanwhile, first-round rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie slipped and injured his hamstring.
On Tuesday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid blamed the Cardinals’ home turf for contributing to the injuries.
“It was a little loose,” Reid said of the turf, per the Associated press. “That’s what happens sometimes when you re-sod. It’s part of the Butker injury and the McDuffie injury, and that’s unfortunate.
“The turf picked up, and I would tell you that did have something to do with it. If it didn’t, I’d tell you that, too. It’s not an excuse by any means. But you all see it when you watch the tape.”
State Farm Stadium, seen here in 2015 with the retractable field catching some sun. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
The Chiefs placed McDuffie on short-term injured reserve on Tuesday with a high-grade hamstring strain. He’ll miss the next four games at a minimum. Butker remains active for Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, but he didn’t practice on Monday or Tuesday.