As grounds crews appear to be laying new sod on the field at Estadio Azteca on Tuesday, a number of Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams players are strongly considering not playing in next Monday's game in Mexico City and instead want it moved to Los Angeles, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
"It's not fair to risk our health," a prominent player told Schefter on Tuesday.
We're inside #MexicoCity stadium checking field. @kmbc pic.twitter.com/l6Nedk5oKY
— Lara Moritz KMBC (@LaraMoritzKMBC) November 13, 2018
Rams safety John Johnson saw the current field conditions on social media and tweeted his reaction.
THAT'S OUT🙅🏾♂️ https://t.co/3189rnSbhB
— John Johnson III (@iamjohnthethird) November 13, 2018
Significant discussions are underway about whether the game will be played in Mexico City, moved to Los Angeles or postponed, sources told Schefter, and that a decision is expected by the NFL in the coming days.
The issue is that soccer games and concerts have left the field inside Estadio Azteca a mess. Both teams have their own people evaluating the field, sources told Schefter, and the NFLPA is concerned and has been monitoring it closely.
Sources told Schefter that some players are skeptical the playing surface can be repaired enough in the next six days, and that they want the game moved to Los Angeles and played this week.
Both the Rams and the Chiefs have a bye week in Week 12, but many players already have scheduled plans for Thanksgiving.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy on Monday night said the league is "working closely" with stadium personnel "to ensure that we have an NFL-quality surface" for the game.
One source still expects the game will be played in Mexico City, according to Schefter, but another source said he thinks moving the game to Los Angeles is still an option.
The Rams left for Colorado Springs on Monday to train at high altitude for a week before traveling to Mexico City, where the elevation is about 7,300 feet.