The Cowboys will bring several types of cleats to Sunday's game against the Ravens at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, giving players the option to select footwear based on their preferences. Dallas is scheduled to inspect the playing surface for the first time Saturday.
The NFL has said the game will proceed as scheduled while it continues monitoring the field. NFL Field Director Nick Pappas told The Dallas Morning News that league officials have closely overseen conditions in Rio throughout the month. Coach Brian Schottenheimer did not provide additional details about the surface.
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark said Dallas will play regardless of the field's condition. He previously dealt with traction issues on an international field when he played for the Green Bay Packers against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo two years ago. Clark described that surface as soft and difficult to handle.
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley changed cleats during the game, while Clark used footwear with seven studs for better traction. Clark said he does not know what the Maracanã field will look like but considers the earlier surface a concern.
