FedEx Field playing surface heavily criticized after Redskins win

The condition of FedEx Field for Thursday’s Redskins-Giants game was perfectly summed up in one tweet, from celebrity Chrissy Teigen of all people.

“This football field has garbage grass,” Teigen tweeted. “Follow me for more sports hot takes.”

Kirk Cousins, in a nicer way, agreed. On Friday, the Redskins quarterback told 106.7 The Fan that FedEx’s grass “probably doesn’t look like a professional NFL field should.”

“If you think the field is rough now on Thanksgiving, we’ve got two more home games in mid-to-late December,” Cousins said. “That’s probably going to be a bigger challenge.”

The field, which looks like a swath of dead brown grass across the the middle, appeared to play a factor on Cousins’ lone interception, too. In the third quarter, Cousins went to throw and his left foot got caught in the grass.

Cousins’ ball went high and off the hands of running back Byron Marshall. Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins secured it in the air and ran it back for a touchdown.

Cousins downplayed the field’s role in the pick, saying he released the ball early because he thought pressure was coming. But Redskins coach Jay Gruden acknowledged the playing surface could have contributed to the interception.

“Yeah, it did get caught there a little bit, you could see it slip a little bit there,” Gruden said. “It very well could have.”

Others criticized the field on social media. Former Redskins tackle Tyler Polumbus tweeted, “Having played on the Redskins field for 4 years it blows my mind that they haven’t switched to turf.”

In some ways, the criticism is nothing new. In 2013, Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons toe his ACL during a playoff game against the Redskins, and Seattle coach Pete Carroll said the field “was horrible.” During that same outing, Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III also tore his ACL.

The Redskins have two remaining home games, Dec. 17 against the Arizona Cardinals and Dec. 24 against the Denver Broncos.

“I don’t know why it is that way or what causes it,” Cousins said. “I’ve kind of learned to accept it and understand it’s part of the deal. Playing here on the field has never been that great in the second half of the season for whatever the reason.”