Former Jaguars DL Dawuane Smoot Slams MetLife Stadium Turf: 'Something Needs to be Done'

The former defensive lineman is one of two Jaguars to suffer torn Achilles injuries at MetLife Stadium in the last two years.

The Jacksonville Jaguars know as well as any franchise just how poor the conditions at MetLife Stadium have been in recent years.

In both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the Jaguars saw a player suffer a non-contact torn Achilles injury at MetLife: First James Robinson, then defensive lineman Dawaune Smoot last year.

The turf-caused injury was especially harmful for Smoot, who at the time was second on the team in pressures, fourth in quarterback hits, first in sacks, and second in pass-rush win rate. He recorded five sacks in each of the last four seasons, recording 22.5 sacks in that span and often looking like Jacksonville's most consistent pass-rusher. 

But the injury happened in Smoot's contract year, leaving the reliable and versatile defensive lineman a free agent in the middle of this summer as he continues to attack rehab.

This week, Smoot joined a long line of players who have spoken out against the turf at MetLife, posting on Twitter that "MetLife took to many players out something needs to be done!!"

Guilty!! MetLife took to many players out something needs to be done!! https://t.co/nwLmxUH43o

— Dawuane Smoot (@Bigsmoot_94) June 28, 2023

Turf fields have been a big point of contention among players and the NFLPA in recent years, with Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins speaking out against the surfaces last year.

“Turf wise? I don’t like playing on turf at all. All turf, I actually hate turf. It’s just bad on my bones, my bones are sore after every time. My joints are literally sore after every time I play on turf," Jenkins said. "Yesterday, I played on grass, and it felt great. Practiced on a grass field and it felt good, turf I don’t like. There’s a lot of injuries that come with playing on turf and everything.”

"Turf I just don’t like; it’s concrete. I’m getting slammed on the concrete. It doesn’t feel good.”

As for MetLife Stadium, the field will have new turf this season but is still not yet a natural grass playing field.