Grounds crews are rushing to install fresh sod at Highmark Stadium after safety concerns emerged over shifting turf, prioritizing player performance ahead of the Week 2 clash.
The Buffalo Bills don't return to the field at Highmark Stadium until their home opener on September 17. Rather than use that time to let the stadium sit as they finalize the roster, the team has confirmed that a major change is coming to the playing surface.
On Saturday afternoon, the team confirmed they will replace the entire playing field ahead of their Week 2 matchup with the Detroit Lions. The Buffalo News was the first to report the change in grass.
Bills' senior director of grounds, Aaron Ramella, said that the divots that appeared weren't a reason for the re-sod. Instead, it was the full chunks of the top layer being pushed and ripped up that made the decision necessary.
"We have a plan in place," Ramella said. "We’ve talked to other grounds crews in different stadiums. A lot of it depends on once it’s in and done. Is it lumpy? Does it need rolled? We'll react based on what we see and how the sod responds."
Bills president Pete Guelli said that the team can be both happy with the playability of the field and still make changes. Re-sodding was always expected to happen throughout the season, they've just moved up the timeline to put it in the best position for the home opener.
"As an organization, we’re committed to having the absolute best possible playing surface for the players," Guelli said. "If it’s even slightly better, we’re going to make the change and err on the side of performance."
The process is expected to begin on Monday. The process should take approximately one week, with the Bills expected to be able to practice on the field in the week leading up to the game.
"It’s not a cure-all," Ramella said. "We’re still going to have divots. It’s a living grass field. We’ll be better than where we’re at now. There will be a random push or random divot. That’s football. We’re not playing on a rug anymore."
The stadium is expected to be re-sodded at least one more time before the end of the season. The current sod that will be ripped up was first installed in October 2025.
The Bills have three straight home games from weeks 2-4.
