New turf install underway at Gillette Stadium

FOXBOROUGH — They’re bringing in new turf at Gillette Stadium.

ESPN was first to report that the Patriots are in the process of replacing the synthetic turf playing surface. The turf, which had been installed in May, was only used by New England for three games — two preseason games and one regular-season contest. On Monday, it was clear that the transformation was underway, as the field had been cleared of turf and was covered in what looked like dirt.

With the Patriots' next home game on Sept. 24 against Houston, there is an opening in the schedule to accommodate the change.

"It’ll be good to have some new turf out there. Whatever’s out there, like Bill (Belichick) says, you have to play on it," said running back James White, who said the new turf was “a lot softer” than a lot of other fields the Patriots played on throughout the league.

“But hey — what can you do,” laughed White.