New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Jets' Garrett Wilson rips MetLife Stadium turf after injury scare

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/16/23

New York Jets star wide receiver Garrett Wilson became the latest noteworthy individual to criticize the MetLife Stadium turf after Wilson experienced an injury scare during Sunday's 20-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

"It’s garbage, man," Wilson said about the playing surface while speaking with reporters, per Bridget Hyland of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "You’re out there running and all of a sudden your legs aren’t in the same place your head is at. And it’s kind of like, what’s the difference between the week, and now? You look down, and you see the turf."

Wilson went down with what looked to be a non-contact issue in the second quarter of Sunday's contest but ultimately returned and played through apparent discomfort for the remainder of the game. The 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year recorded eight catches for 90 yards against the Eagles and discussed his health following the victory that improved the Jets to 3-3 ahead of their bye.

Jets WR Garrett Wilson went to the medical tent after what looks to be a non-contact injury.

Hope he’s okay pic.twitter.com/k1rsXTHtZh
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 15, 2023

"I have a pretty good gauge on myself, when it’s, 'You can’t play through this,' or, 'Let's go get it looked at and let’s get back out there,'" Wilson explained. "I didn’t have any injury today that resulted in me being like, 'Oh, I might not be able to come back.' Any time I take the field and leave the field with that, it’s a blessing from above."

Players from around the NFL routinely complained about the turf previously found at MetLife Stadium for years, and it was learned following the 2022 season that the venue would feature the FieldTurf Core system for the ongoing campaign. While some blamed the playing surface for Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffering a torn Achilles in Week 1, it's unclear if that injury is directly related to the stadium's turf.

Wilson, meanwhile, is a vital part of a Jets offense that's struggled to tally touchdowns through the air without Rodgers. According to ESPN stats, the 23-year-old leads the team with 32 catches, 55 targets, 369 receiving yards and two touchdown grabs on the season.

Wilson will now have an extra week to get right before the Jets play "at" the lowly New York Giants on Oct. 29. The 1-5 Giants welcome the 3-3 Washington Commanders to MetLife Stadium this coming Sunday.

More must-reads: