Lamar Jackson, Ravens not focusing on field conditions in Rio

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- A day before the Baltimore Ravens travel to Brazil, quarterback Lamar Jackson said he isn't focusing on the condition of the field at Maracanã Stadium.

"I believe the NFL does a great job at having their specialists go out there and look over the fields," Jackson said Wednesday. "I cannot worry about that. I just have to worry about getting us a dub in Brazil. [As for] the field, we have played on bad fields plenty of times, so I cannot really dwell on that."

On Sunday, Baltimore plays the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL's first game in Rio de Janeiro.

The concerns about the quality of the playing surface at Rio's Maracanã Stadium started last week when professional soccer players voiced complaints about their home stadium's grass field. On Monday, NFL field director Nick Pappas told ESPN that there are "no concerns right now" about the field conditions in Rio.

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton has heard about the criticism about the playing surface.

"There is a lot of just, 'he said, she said,' kind of thing going on right now, so we will see," Hamilton said. "I know the players are the product in this league. As soon as we lose 'putting the players forward' is when we lose the league. I am sure the league knows that and they are doing their best to put us in the position to be safe. So, that is not really in the forefront of my mind right now."

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said he expects the NFL to have a great field in Rio.

"If we got to play on some concrete, we will play on some concrete," Humphrey said with a smile. "I'm hoping those reports aren't true."

This is the Ravens' first international game since 2023, when they beat the Tennessee Titans 24-16 in London. The Ravens spent the entire week in England to prepare for that game.

For this trip, the Ravens and Cowboys are both flying to Brazil on Thursday night and will arrive Friday, which is two days before the game. The reason Baltimore isn't leaving earlier is because it's only a one-hour time difference.

"I feel like the rhetoric around the game after it is done is who handled the travel and everything better," Hamilton said. "I think that just goes hand in hand on who is being more of a pro or not. That is something that I think we can thrive at. So, I'm excited."

Two Cowboys played in the 2024 game in Sao Paolo and one of their coaches was involved in defensive tackle Kenny Clark, edge rusher Rashan Gary, who were with the Packers, and defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who was with the Eagles.

"It was mushy a little bit," Clark said of the field. "That was in Sao Paulo, so I wonder how the field in Rio is going to look, but yeah, that was a problem last time."

He added, "Of course, I hope it's good, but regardless we're playing on it, so I've got full confidence in the league doing their part and making sure the field is right. And my job is to go out there and put on a great performance."

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said the players have been educated on cleat choice. The team will have their molded cleats as well as the seven-stud shoes that could provide better traction.

"The biggest thing for us is we expect the field to be fine and we have backup plans in place, but right now we've educated these guys," Schottenheimer said. "At the end of the day, these guys have to wear things that make them feel comfortable, and if they're slipping, then that's going to be on them."

Information from ESPN's Todd Archer was used in this report.