Now that J.J. McCarthy's rookie season has come to an unfortunate end due to a torn meniscus in his knee, many are left wondering how exactly the injury occurred. Despite his preseason debut at U.S. Bank Stadium showing no obvious moment that resulted in the injury, the possibility of the artificial turf playing a role cannot be ignored.

With the NFL introducing brand new artificial turf in Minnesota this year, it is plausible that the forces from the ground could have ricocheted back up to McCarthy's leg, leading to the tearing of his cartilage. Activities that forcefully twist or rotate the knee can cause a meniscus tear, especially when the full weight is applied. If McCarthy's foot was planted on the turf while the rest of his body twisted or rotated, it could have been enough to cause the injury.

While it is difficult to establish a direct link between the injury and the playing surface, the concerns surrounding artificial turf are not new. The lack of give and increased force rebounding from the foot into the leg are well-known drawbacks of fake grass. Interestingly, despite the NFL presenting carefully-selected injury statistics and attempting to create the illusion of a debate among players on grass versus turf, most players overwhelmingly prefer natural grass.

Although we cannot definitively attribute McCarthy's injury to the surface, the absence of any visible hit to his lower body raises suspicions that something else may have caused the soreness and subsequent meniscus tear he experienced after the game.

Looking ahead, with the NFL preparing for the possibility of an 18-game season, questions arise regarding the commitment of the NFL Players Association in ensuring the universal use of grass surfaces for all NFL games, irrespective of practicalities or cost. If it can be done for major international tournaments like the World Cup, there is a strong argument for providing the best possible playing conditions for the top football players in the world.

While McCarthy's injury may serve as a catalyst for discussions around the playing surface in the NFL, further research and analysis are needed to draw conclusive evidence. However, it is undeniable that the topic of artificial turf versus natural grass will continue to be a subject of debate among players, league officials, and sports enthusiasts alike.