Message to Eagles players: Avoid MetLife Stadium
With a second-straight division title unlikely for the Eagles, head coach Nick Sirianni shouldn’t let his starters anywhere near the turf at MetLife Stadium this week.
Injuries are inevitable in a contact sport like professional football, but the number of non-contact injuries suffered in East Rutherford, NJ are enough to give any coach or general manager pause.
Even with a new surface installed for the 2023 season, it only took three snaps for the turf to send former NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to the IR with a torn Achilles tendon. Rodgers’ injury essentially ended any hope the Jets had of making the playoffs, but also added to the field’s already dubious history.
In Week 3 of 2020, the 49ers lost defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas with torn ACLs at MetLife Stadium. Since then players like Kyle Fuller, Jabrill Peppers, Wan’Dale Robinson and Sterling Shepard have all torn their ACLs on the field.
Shepard also tore his Achilles at the stadium, as did Blake Martinez and Jets nose tackle Al Woods back in October. A month after Woods’ injury, Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips tore his Achilles in a game against the Jets.
Assuming the Dallas Cowboys take care of business against the Washington Commanders this week and win the NFC East, Philadelphia would be foolish to put their starters in harm’s way given the number and nature of injuries suffered at the stadium.
While the team hasn’t provided much detail, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been dealing with a knee injury most of the season. He isn’t listed on the team’s injury report, but anyone who has seen him run can see the 25-year-old is still dealing with something.
Given the team’s performance in a 35-31 loss to Arizona last week, Sirianni may be hesitant to rest any player against the Giants. But if he wants to make a deep playoff run, he should keep his starters safe and sound on the sidelines this Sunday.
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