NFLPA says field in Brazil still needs repairs before Week 3 Cowboys-Ravens Rio Game, citing traction and stability issues

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has expressed concerns about the field conditions at Brazil's Maracanã Stadium for the Week 3 NFL international game between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. The main issues identified by the NFLPA include loose, patchy grass which could cause players to slip, and a surface that lacks stability and adequate traction for a high-quality game.

JC Tretter, the NFLPA director, stated that while the field issues primarily pose a playability and performance concern, player safety is the top priority. Both the league and independent experts have assessed the field and found it needing improvements such as reinforced stitching and additional equipment to enhance stability. The NFLPA has also raised broader concerns about the league's international expansion, highlighting the excessive heat on artificial turf in Nashville which caused players to replace cleats and cool down their equipment mid-game.

Tretter emphasized the need for better field standards that account for both safety and performance, suggesting that the NFL should reconsider its ambitious international expansion plans if field conditions cannot meet the required standards. The NFL Rio Game is scheduled to begin at 4:25 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on CBS.