Snow, sleet, rain and cold. Welcome to Pittsburgh in November.
The field conditions at Heinz Field on Sunday were as sloppy as the Steelers’ tie with the Detroit Lions.
With Steelers-Bears last Monday night, Pitt versus UNC on Thursday, and the Lions matchup just a few days later, it was the third game played at Heinz Field in seven days.
Fox sideline reporter Jane Hale observed players changing from their molded cleats into screw-in studs after warm-ups because the grass was so slick, and they were worried about footing.
Conditions at Heinz Field have been considerably worse at times, of course. This certainly wasn’t a Mud Bowl by any stretch, but it caused a myriad of injuries on both sides by the time it was all over.
It was apparent from watching the game that the field had been re-sodded down the middle.
A steep cost comes with maintaining natural grass (Heinz Field uses Kentucky Bluegrass), especially in cold-weather climates, but it makes players happy. According to Twinspires, data indicates the risk of non-contact lower-body injuries decreases on natural grass.
The field will be completely re-sodded while the Steelers are on the road the next two weeks — in Los Angeles for Chargers and Cincinnati for Bengals.
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