As the NFL world anticipates the first game held in Rio de Janeiro this weekend, concerns continue to grow surrounding the playing conditions the Ravens and Cowboys will be encountering.
Maracaña Stadium’s grass is being actively worked on, and fiber stitching is being added to the grass to improve “resistance and safety” for the players.
NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter spoke out about the upcoming game in a written statement.
“The concern heading into this week was that the field would be loose, patchy, and lead to excessive slipping,” Tretter said. “Those conditions are generally more of a playability and performance issue than a significant injury concern.
“Based on our experts’ assessment, the field needed better traction and stability. They recommended reinforced stitching to help the surface hold together and brought in equipment to reinforce as much of the field as possible before the game.”
Tretter said the issues speak to the concerns the union has about growing the game internationally.
“The NFL has been clear they want to continue to grow the game internationally. However, growth alone cannot be the goal. The goal has to be growing the game while maintaining the standards our players deserve. If we can’t do both, then we need to make different decisions.”
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was asked on Wednesday his thoughts on the field conditions.
“I believe the NFL does a great job at having their specialists go out there and look over the fields,” he said. “I cannot worry about that. I just have to worry about getting us a dub in Brazil. [As for] the field, we have played on bad fields plenty of times, so I cannot really dwell on that.”
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the players have been taught about choosing their cleats for potentially difficult conditions.
“At the end of the day, these guys have to wear things that make them feel comfortable, and if they’re slipping, then that’s going to be on them,” he said.
The Rio contest is the second of nine games on the NFL’s international slate for 2026. The 49ers and Rams played the league’s first-ever game in Melbourne, Australia, in Week 1.
