Reid: Cardinals' turf played role in McDuffie, Butker injuries

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the Arizona Cardinals' turf was a factor in the injuries that Chiefs rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie and kicker Harrison Butker suffered Sunday.

Reid described State Farm Stadium's turf as "a little bit loose" after the Cardinals had resodded it.

"It was part of the Butker injury and McDuffie injury," Reid said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher. He added, "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."

The Cardinals later pushed back at Reid's comments.

"The entire field was replaced on Monday, August 22nd - the day after the last home preseason game vs. Baltimore - so it had it almost three full weeks before the Week 1 game vs. Kansas City," team spokesman Mark Dalton told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

"That's more than enough time for the Tifway Bermuda 419 hybrid sod to take root," he continued, "especially in 109 degrees and abundant sunshine."

Butker injured his ankle in the contest, forcing the Chiefs to use safety Justin Reid as their kicker. He made one of his two extra-point attempts in the 44-21 win. Kansas City signed Matt Ammendola to the practice squad as insurance if Butker is unable to play Thursday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Meanwhile, McDuffie will miss at least the next four games after landing on injured reserve with a hamstring ailment.

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