NFL says Maracanã Stadium field passed required tests before Cowboys-Ravens kickoff

The playing surface at Brazil's Maracanã Stadium passed all testing Friday following concerns voiced by the NFL Players Association.

NFL field director Nick Pappas met with reporters on Saturday, one day before the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are set to play . Pappas said that all mandatory requirements have been met regarding the surface, and testing was done in conjunction with the NFLPA and an independent specialist.

"We have an independent inspector that comes in, walks with myself, walks with a member of the NFLPA," Pappas said. "They were here yesterday. Performed that test. Things check out. We've made additional improvements to the field that we think were helpful."

Pappas added that the league has visited the stadium once a month since January for regular checkups. The region has seen a lot of rainfall of late, plus games played by soccer clubs Flamengo and Fluminense, including one last Sunday.

"I mean rest was No. 1, right?" Pappas said about the work that's been done since last weekend. "Giving the opportunity to get some rest, made a phone call to shut the rain off. So we've got some sunshine now. I wish I could take credit for that. Stitching was a big piece of it, but then also bringing in the field goal posts, getting the lines and getting things measured out and laid out. There's got to be a football field out here too."

On Friday, NFLPA executive director JC Tretter posted a lengthy statement on social media , including what has needed to be addressed with the grass playing surface in Rio de Janeiro leading up to kickoff on Sunday.

"The concern heading into this week was that the field would be loose, patchy, and lead to excessive slipping," Tretter wrote. "Those conditions are generally more of a playability and performance issue than a significant injury concern."

Tretter added that safety is the primary issue for players. But a surface that allows them to perform at their highest level, resulting in a well-played game, is also a major consideration.

Both the league and experts hired by the NFLPA have checked the field during the past week and found that the grass surface wasn't stable enough to be suitable for a game. The latest assessment means they will definitely play football there on Sunday.

The Cowboys arrived at the stadium on Saturday for a walkthrough to test out the surface. Some players, like CeeDee Lamb , went barefoot . Others, like kicker Brandon Aubrey , wore cleats to get a better idea of how the footing will hold up.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday with the Cowboys serving as the home team.