NFL's first Rio game: Lamar shrugs off field worries — SkimNews
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- Lamar Jackson said Wednesday he isn't focused on the Maracanã field, stating the NFL's specialists handle preparation and that he's worried only about "getting us a dub in Brazil" for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
- Field concerns began last week when professional soccer players complained about the Maracanã grass; NFL field director Nick Pappas told ESPN Monday there are "no concerns right now."
- Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton characterized the situation as "he said, she said" but said he trusts the league to prioritize player safety, adding "I know the players are the product in this league."
- Both teams fly to Brazil Thursday night and arrive Friday — just two days before kickoff — because Rio is only a one-hour time difference from Baltimore, unlike the Ravens' 2023 London trip where they spent the entire week in England.
- Cowboys defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who played in last year's Sao Paulo game, called that field "mushy" but said he has "full confidence in the league doing their part."
- Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said players have been educated on cleat choices, with molded cleats and seven-stud shoes both available depending on traction needs.
Why it matters: With the NFL expanding its international schedule to Rio, the league's field preparation team faces a credibility test on a surface already criticized by local soccer players, and both teams' public calm masks behind-the-scenes contingencies like Cowboys coach Schottenheimer's backup-cleat plan. The two-day travel window — versus a full week for prior international games — makes last-minute field fixes harder if problems surface.
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