Giants Stadium to Switch to Grass

Giants Stadium is going to have a permanent grass field starting in 2000.

The New York Giants and New York Jets decided Wednesday to switch from an artificial surface to an experimental tray grass system after receiving assurances from a grass consultant that the field would hold up with two teams playing on it.

“There are still financial and operational issues that need to be resolved, but everyone was in agreement that it was in all of our interests to put down the grass field permanently next season,” said John Mara, the Giants’ executive vice president.

It will cost $4 million to $5 million to make the change, said a source close to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates the stadium.

The grass field may be coming too late for the Jets (0-3). Tabbed as Super Bowl contenders, they lost quarterback Vinny Testaverde (Achilles’ tendon) for the season and receiver Wayne Chrebet (broken foot) for six weeks to injuries that some associated with an artificial field.

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Ki-Jana Carter is going to sit out another season because of injury, adding to his legacy as a star-crossed No. 1 draft pick.

The Cincinnati Bengals put Carter on injured reserve, three days after he dislocated his right kneecap in a 27-3 loss at Carolina.

They also waived fullback Brian Milne, promoted running back Michael Basnight from their practice squad and claimed running back Sedrick Shaw off waivers from the Cleveland Browns.

For the third time since he was the No. 1 overall pick in 1995, Carter suffered a major injury when no one touched him.

“It’s freaky. It’s unfortunate,” Coach Bruce Coslet said. “I don’t have an adjective to describe it.”

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Run-stuffing veteran nose tackle Jerry Ball, who signed with Cleveland as a free agent in the off-season after spending two years in Minnesota, returned to the Vikings in a trade with the Browns.

The Browns received third-year defensive end Stalin Colinet and a seventh-round 2000 draft pick.

The Vikings assumed Ball’s two-year, $2.6-million contract.

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Running back Rashaan Salaam, who jeopardized his life and playing career because of an addiction to marijuana, signed a one-year contract with the Browns.