Colts downplay slippery new Lucas Oil turf: 'That can’t be an excuse'

INDIANAPOLIS — The new monofilament turf installed at Lucas Oil Stadium this offseason appeared to give both the Colts and Texans problems in Sunday’s season opener.

Anthony Richardson slipped just before uncorking his iconic 65-yard throw to Alec Pierce for a touchdown, tight end Kylen Granson slipped on a crossing route that led to Richardson’s only interception and a handful of other Colts appeared to slip on the turf during the game.

During the offseason, Indianapolis replaced its old slit-film turf with Hella Matrix monofilament turf , sliding in line with the NFL Player’s Association position on turf fields. The NFLPA believes the monofilament turf, made of organic products, gives more, making the surface safer.

Lucas Oil Stadium turf: Colts love the feel of the new turf installed at Lucas Oil Stadium

Nearly every Colt sung the turf’s praises in the week leading up to the game, although backup cornerback Dallis Flowers did caution that he thought the turf still needs to be broken in, considering that it felt slick during the preseason games.

“The field’s been good,” Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said. “It was really good in the first two preseason games for us. I know that’s the third time we’ve played on it. I know some guys were slipping around, Houston guys, but I’ve got no concerns with the field. I really like the field. We’ve just got to get it broken in a little bit.”

Indianapolis is not the only team that has installed the monofilament turf.

Tennessee installed Hella Matrix at Nissan Stadium last year, joining MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and Detroit’s Ford Field with the monofilament turf, which is considered to be the most grass-like of any turf product on the market.

The turf is designed to prevent injury by giving way, absorbing some of the force from a player’s movements.

The Colts themselves seemed uninterested in blaming the turf for slipping problems after Sunday’s games.

“I’m never going to blame the field or the turf,” cornerback Jaylon Jones said. “It is a new turf. It’s something they’re doing across the league, using that turf. We’ve just got to play in whatever conditions.”

Rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell took his defense of the turf a step further, noting that not every player had issues with the turf’s traction.

“At the end of the day, that’s all on the players that slip, honestly,” Mitchell said. “Everybody’s playing on the same turf. That can’t be an excuse.”

Mitchell believes the Colts can handle the surface better through preparation.

“I’d just say, pregame, we’ve got to make more of an emphasis on going out there, getting a lot of cuts in, working on change-of-direction a little more pregame,” Mitchell said. “Get a feel for the turf so once you get into the game, you’re not really worried about it.”

The slips and slides played a role in a tight game between Indianapolis and Houston on Sunday.

But it’s not going anywhere, and the Colts have to get used to it.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts downplay slippery new Lucas Oil turf: 'That can’t be an excuse'