Chiefs-Rams game moved from Mexico City to LA due to field
LOS ANGELES >> The NFL moved the Rams’ Monday night showdown with the Chiefs from Mexico City to Los Angeles on Tuesday due to the poor condition of the field at Azteca Stadium.
The league announced the extraordinary decision six days before one of the most-anticipated regularseason games of the year.
In a news release, the league said it determined that the recently re-sodded field at Mexico City’s historic stadium “does not meet NFL standards for playability and consistency, and will not meet those standards by next Monday.”
The Rams (9-1) will host the Chiefs (9-1) at the Coliseum instead. The muchanticipated game is just the fifth meeting since 1970 between teams with one or fewer losses in Week 11 or later.
The decision creates a morass of logistical concerns for the teams and fans traveling to Mexico, and it disappoints thousands of Mexican fans eager to see a marquee matchup in North America’s most populous city. But the league consulted with the players’ association and local officials before deciding it couldn’t risk the players’ health on a damaged field.
“The combination of a difficult rainy season and a heavy multi-event calendar of events at the stadium have resulted in significant damage to the field that presents unnecessary risks to player safety and makes it unsuitable to host an NFL game,” said Mark Waller, the NFL’s executive vice president of international.
Azteca officials changed the playing surface from natural grass to a hybrid in May, but the turf hasn’t been ideal for several months.
Bills cut receiver Pryor during bye week
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. >> The Buffalo Bills have released receiver Terrelle Pryor two weeks after signing the eighth-year player.
The move was announced during the Bills’ bye week.
Pryor had just two catches on eight targets for 17 yards in two games. He became the odd man out after Robert Foster had 105 yards receiving in a 41-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, a day after the rookie was promoted off the practice squad.
It’s the second time Pryor has been cut this season. He had 14 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns in six games with the Jets before reaching an injury settlement with the team after sustaining a groin injury.