4 potential mistakes the Carolina Panthers made this offseason

Grass to artificial turf change at Bank of America Stadium

We all know turf looks amazing under the bright lights, but it can be a potential hazard for players.

With the face of the franchise in Christian McCaffrey coming off so many injuries in 2020, the Carolina Panthers still decided to make a questionable decision to go from grass to artificial turf.

The All-Pro running back suffered quad, ankle, and shoulder problems throughout the campaign. This left McCaffrey only seeing the field for three total games and his health was a concern the entire season.

The Panthers drafted wide Terrace Marshall Jr. No. 59 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He fell to the back half of the second round because of his recent lower-body injuries in college.

Many teams were concerned with his health concerns, but the Panthers took a shot on him. Nobody wants this new field decision to be a downfall for the valuable pass-catching presence out of LSU that enters the league with a tremendous amount of upside.

Many believe turf is worse than grass. Research from the Rocky Mountain Foot and Ankle Clinic confirms this notion.

"“Artificial turf is believed to have more traction than natural grass, we expect more injuries on turf. A study by the Journal of sports medicine found that artificial turf is three times more likely to cause foot and ankle injuries. Knowing this, it’s important for athletes to consider precautions for decreasing their traction – like cleats designed specifically for turf.”"

The turf will be an adjustment for the Panthers and the staff.

There are ways to prevent the injuries, but the odds of something occurring will never be zero. Players can have success on the new field, but do not be surprised if the number of Panthers players’ injuries increases as a result of this move.