Sod story: 49ers cut short practice after Levi s Stadium grass looks hazardous

Coach Jim Harbaugh cut short the 49ers final public practice at Levis Stadium on Wednesday after divots kept coming up and players such as Stevie Johnson perilously lost footing on the 4-month-old sod.

Johnson wiped out making a cut near the north end zone, and after one more play, Harbaugh led his team off the torn-up field, which is scheduled to host Sundays nationally televised exhibition against the San Diego Chargers.

The 49ers headed to finish practice on their normal training fields behind the adjacent headquarters.

It was the 49ers third practice inside their new $1.3 billion stadium, and one of the consolations offered to the 10,000 fans was free entry into the teams on-site museum.

The field conditions had team officials concerned from the start of practice. Team president Paraag Marathe, COO Al Guido and general manager Trent Baalke huddled with heads groundskeeper Matthew Greiner as practice unfolded.

Players repeatedly tried patting back down their divots, which often came up by pass rushers and linemen.

On Tuesday, the grounds crew replaced several patches of sod, in 1-foot-by-3-foot segments, throughout the field.

Livingston-based West Coast Turf began installing the 2.5 acres of Bermuda Bandera sod on April 17. That type of grass was heralded for its ability to withstand heavy use in variable climates with the need for 50 percent less water than the average turf.

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Sod story: 49ers cut short practice after Levi s Stadium grass looks hazardous