49ers news: Arik Armstead complains about turf, injuries at MetLife

49ers defensive end Arik Armstead took to Twitter to criticize the Jets' MetLife Stadium's field as the cause of injuries to his teammates after the win.

Though the San Francisco 49ers easily dispatched the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon, 31-13, the bigger news for the Niners' organization was the loss of Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa, and Raheem Mostert to injuries during the beatdown.

Taking to social media to vent what clearly had to be a sentiment shared among the 49ers locker room, defensive end Arik Armstead implored the NFL to fix the alleged subpar conditions of the turf at MetLife Stadium—the venue that plays host to both the New York Giants and Jets.

https://twitter.com/arikarmstead/status/1307773696657043457

With all three 49ers players experiencing leg-injuries that are often associated with the artificial field, attention was bound to be focused on the quality of turf employed in the New Jersey complex. Believed by many to be more difficult to play on—because turf, unlike natural grass, does not “give” when weight is shifted onto it—the issue is one that seems to come up at least once a year around the league, with 14 stadiums utilizing the artificial field.

The fact that three different 49ers players experienced injuries in the same game, however, brings the question into stark relief.

Indeed when speaking to reporters in his post-game availability, head coach Kyle Shanahan expanded on the concerns voiced by Armstead, saying that the turf seemed “sticky” throughout the match (via ESPN's Dianna Russini).

Shanahan asked about the turf here at Metlife. He says he doesnt know why these injuries happen but the feeling on the sidelines was this is the most ankles and knee injuries. The turf is sticky

— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) September 20, 2020

In a day in which multiple key players were removed from games throughout the NFL, besides the key contributors for the 49ers, it remains unclear if the NFL will indeed investigate the quality of field at MetLife. Though it may simply be bad luck, the league would do well to eliminate as many potential factors under their control as possible, in ensuring a safe environment for the marquee players.