turf toe

noun

: a minor but painful usually sports-related injury typically involving hyperextension of the big toe that results in spraining or tearing of the ligaments at the joint between the metatarsal and basal phalanx

Examples of turf toe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Linebacker Blake Cashman, one of Minnesota’s primary defensive communicators and whose vision in underneath zones exponentially helps the Vikings’ coverage plans, missed the game because of a turf toe injury suffered a couple of weeks earlier in London. —Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025

The best player on the defense may be linebacker Blake Cashman, who was forced to miss three games earlier this year with a turf toe injury. —Steve Silverman, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

The Colts tight end was diagnosed with a turf toe injury that will require surgery and is out indefinitely, a league source told The Athletic on Tuesday. —James Boyd, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024

That unit has a chance to return to its best form when linebacker Blake Cashman returns from his turf toe injury. —Steve Silverman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from the occurrence of the injury among athletes who play on artificial turf

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

turf toe

noun

ˈtərf- 

: a minor but painful usually sports-related injury involving hyperextension of the big toe that results in spraining or tearing of the ligament of the metatarsophalangeal joint