NFL re-approves MetLife turf before 49ers-Giants Week 3 game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Numerous injuries befell the 49ers in their Week 2 matchup with the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, with players and coaches pointing to the playing surface -- freshly installed in the offseason -- as the culprit.
The 49ers will return to MetLife in Week 3 for their scheduled Sunday matchup with the New York Giants on that same surface. That's because the NFL and numerous other parties involved with the stadium -- including both the Jets and Giants, approved it after examination.
Although the 49ers came away last week with a 31-13 win over the Jets -- losing players such as defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas for the season with knee injuries, as well as lesser but significant injuries both to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and running back Raheem Mostert -- it certainly was a pyrrhic victory for coach Kyle Shanahan's group.
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Players such as defensive lineman Arik Armstead expressed angst about potentially returning to the stadium in Week 3, and Shanahan said he'd never seen such a rash of injuries in one game.
Nevertheless, the show must go on, and the 49ers will take the field Sunday without numerous starters, hoping to close the East Coast swing with a victory over the 0-2 Giants.
