Grass or turf fields? Texans players weigh in on the style of field after World Cup

Something that has become the subject of conversations around players in the NFL is the usage of naturally grown grass over artificial turf.

Some teams have turf practice fields and live grass at their stadiums. Other teams have turf stadiums and use live grass for practice.

But for the Houston Texans , Reliant Stadium needed an upgrade to real grass for last month's FIFA World Cup. Ever since, internal conversations have gone on about whether the Texans should leave the grass permanent or go back to turf.

All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. will play on whatever surface is presented, just so long as it provides him a place to terrorize quarterbacks. Of course, that doesn't mean he doesn't have a preference between the two.

“I think grass is just a better option,” Anderson said Wednesday.

The former No. 3 overall pick has his reasons. He became a two-time All-American at the University of Alabama while playing on a grass surface in Tuscaloosa. Anderson, who just became the highest-paid non-QB, suffered two different high ankle sprains while playing on the turf at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey against the New York Jets in 2023 and 2024.

All 39 stadiums used for the FIFA World Cup were required to add grass pitches to their stadiums, but the demolition could begin as soon as the last match was played. Houston began its installation of turf after the first round of the Knockout Stage and should have it all back in the stadium before the first preseason game.

"I think it's just the natural feel of grass, your feet not getting stuck in the ground like in turf," Anderson said.

The Texans, who played on a grass field until 2011, will now go back to turf. But if the star player for Houston has a say in the procedural moves to change things up, Cal McNair might be willing to make a switch.

The Texans return to practice on Friday.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Grass or turf fields? Texans players weigh in on the style of field after World Cup

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