Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Tuesday he believes turf conditions at the Arizona Cardinals‘ State Farm Stadium are to blame for injuries to two key players.
The Chiefs rolled to an easy 44-21 win over the Cardinals Sunday, but the victory came at a high price. Kicker Harrison Butker (ankle) and cornerback Trent McDuffie (hamstring) suffered injuries in the game.
“They resodded it, which is a good thing because they practice in there,” Reid said, regarding the field at State Farm Stadium. “But it was a little bit loose. That’s what happens sometimes when you resod, is it’s loose.
“It was part of the Butker injury and McDuffie injury … The turf picked up and I would tell you that that did have something to do with it. If it didn’t, I would tell you that, too. So it’s not an excuse by any means, but I mean, you all can see it. Watch the tape.”
On Tuesday, the Chiefs placed McDuffie on IR, meaning the 2022 first-round pick will miss at least four games. According to ESPN, Butker is unlikely to play against the Los Angeles Chargers in Thursday night’s game. While the team used safety Justin Reid on a couple of extra points and to kick off against the Cardinals, they signed kicker Matt Amendola to the practice squad Tuesday, and he could be activated for Thursday’s game.
In an unrelated move Tuesday, the Chiefs signed wide receiver Corey Coleman, the No. 15 overall pick by Cleveland in the 2016 NFL Draft, to their practice squad.
[ESPN]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.