Chiefs suffer more concussions, say playing surface in Indy is one of the hardest in NFL

INDIANAPOLIS The Chiefs’ last two games at Lucas Oil Stadium have resulted in a litany of injuries, including multiple concussions.

On Sunday, the Chiefs lost quarterback Alex Smith and running back Spencer Ware to concussions. They also lost left guard Parker Ehinger to a knee sprain. The last time they played there – their 45-44 wild-card loss in 2015 – they lost five key players to injuries, including three to concussions.

The Colts haven’t been spared either. They lost two players Sunday to concussions – cornerback Vontae Davis and right tackle Joe Reitz – and also had six players on the 53-man roster listed as out prior to Sunday’s game.

All of which led to several Chiefs fielding an obvious question afterward – is there something up with the FieldTurf surface in Indy?

“It’s a fast surface, it’s a thin surface,” Chiefs safety Eric Berry said. “It’s not the thick turf that you’re probably used to seeing.”

Berry added that while it’s not old-school Astroturf – which was basically like playing on concrete – it’s about as close as you’ll get to that, these days.

Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali noted that the surface in Indianapolis is the fastest he’s played on – a true one-cut and go track.

“If you hit that ground, sometimes if you hit the ground and your head hits the grass, maybe it gives,” Hali said of a normal surface. “This one, you're hitting concrete. So every time your head hits concrete, you're sure to probably get a little bit of concussion.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid was hesitant to draw a link between the playing surface and the concussions, however.

“I haven’t heard that, and I don’t think that’s the case,” Reid said. “We were playing a good game and guys were slammed around a little.”

This story was originally published October 30, 2016 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Chiefs suffer more concussions, say playing surface in Indy is one of the hardest in NFL."