The Bills suffered losses other than the final score as All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano will miss the entire season due to fractures in his leg and knee, in addition to several other players who suffered injuries from playing on the synthetic field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A Bills player who asked to remain anonymous told the Buffalo News, “We came all the way over to London to play on f—ing cement?”
During a play in the second quarter, defensive back Taron Johnson’s foot was caught in the turf, causing his knee to crash into the synthetic surface.
He was examined by the medical personnel of Bill, but he resisted being wheeled away. After using the restroom, he returned for the following defensive drive.
“That f—ing turf, to be honest with you; the turf was terrible here,” Johnson told reporters “They have to get rid of it – report that. If we can do grass, we should do grass. … I don’t know why we’re playing on stuff like that. There was injuries on the field today — some really, really bad.”
On Sunday, players from the Bills other than Johnson dealt with health issues. Defensive lineman Ed Oliver, defensive ends Leonard Floyd and Kingsley Jonathan, offensive linemen Dion Dawkins and Walker Little, and defensive lineman Dion Dawkins were all assessed for potential injuries during the game.
When Tottenham Hotspur FC plays their home matches at the stadium, Premier League soccer matches are played on natural grass. However, artificial turf is used in place of the grass when the stadium hosts NFL games.
Johnson’s critique is not the first time this season that players have spoken out against playing on synthetic turf. After Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback for the New York Jets, tore his Achilles tendon in Week 1 at MetLife Stadium, many petitioned the NFL to switch to natural grass for every stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next weekend.
