The Dallas Cowboys are working with the NFL to address concerns about the playing surface at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where the team is scheduled to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 27. The game will be the first NFL contest held in Rio.
Questions about the field followed comments from Agustin Rossi, goalkeeper for Flamengo, which regularly uses the stadium. Rossi said the penalty areas had numerous bumps and needed improvement before the NFL game.
The NFL told The Athletic that it has a plan for maintaining a suitable surface at its international games. The league also said the field would meet its standards for the Cowboys-Ravens matchup. Last year's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo was cited as a previous international contest that proceeded without reported problems.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said team operations executives had been communicating with the league about the field. He said Todd Williams, the team's vice president of football operations, and his staff were working with the league office and that the organization expected the surface to be addressed.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he was still seeking additional information as of Sunday evening. He identified the field as a primary concern for the team after Dallas' game against the Washington Commanders.
