FEBRUARY 27: Further testing has revealed that surgery is not advised, Schefter notes in an update. As a result, Carter will indeed work out at his Pro Day in advance of hearing his name called early on Day 1 of the draft.
FEBRUARY 26: Abdul Carter won’t participate at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, and it was assumed the blue-chip prospect was simply saving his energy for Penn State’s Pro Day. Instead, the projected first-overall pick may skip all workouts as he deals with a foot injury that could require surgery.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Carter underwent tests today that revealed a stress reaction in his right foot. The prospect is considering “pre-emptive surgery” that would result in a screw being inserted in the foot. That route would require about eight weeks of recovery, which at the very least would put Carter’s availability for the start of rookie minicamp in doubt.
Alternatively, Carter could skip the surgery. Schefter hints that the edge rusher could still participate at Penn State’s Pro Day later this week and “prove to NFL teams that he doesn’t need [surgery].” Carter, his family, and his agents consulted with doctors today to “gather more information,” and there’s an expectation that the player’s camp will make a decision later this week (per Schefter).
“There are mixed opinions on whether he needs surgery, and we will figure that out in the near future,” Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Schefter.
Carter already entered the pre-draft process with an injury, as the defending Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was nursing a shoulder injury he suffered in Penn State’s playoff game versus Boise State. Carter recently stated that he’s back to around 90 percent health, and Rosenhaus recently sent a memo to NFL teams stating that the player has been cleared to resume training.
Even with the growing list of injury concerns, Carter isn’t expected to see a hit to his draft stock. Along with Travis Hunter, Carter was considered one of the draft’s two elite prospects, and teams will gamble on the pass-rushing upside despite any injury concerns. Rosenhaus said as much when speaking with reporters.
“Either way, worst case scnario, we don’t expect this to impact where he is drafted,” Rosenhaus said. “After visiting with teams this week, I believe he’s going to be the No. 1 overall pick. “
Which bone?
The plot thickens.
Falling….Falling?
Eh, time to pass him down the line. He’s undersized, anyways.
Yeah so was Micah Parsons
Carter 6’3″ – 251lbs
Parsons 6’3″ – 245lbs
Hell looking at some of the greats
Kevin Greene 6’3″ – 247lbs
Suggs 6’3″ – 266lbs
Randle – 6’1″ 290
Freaking Lawrence Taylor 6’3″ – 237lbs
Ricky Jackson 6’2″ 243
Freeney 6’1″ 258
Von Miller 6’3″ 250
Mathis 6’2′ 250
Houston 6’3″ 270
Townsend 6’3″ 254
Carter size isn’t the issue. In fact being shorter than say a 6’6″ or 6’7″ tackle or guard can help Carter create leverage if the lineman plays too high and force him backwards into the rb or qb, the lineman has to play at his level and come down. His size can also help him get past would be attempts to block him.
While having a taller receiver on a shorter DB is a mismatch, having shorter pass rushers can create mismatches against offensive lineman who require leverage to sustain blocks esp in pass protection
While his size compares to Parsons, having a foot issue when his speed and agility (not sure about your analysis of leverage) are paramount to his abilities to play. It seems that NFL teams are definitely always concerned with size first (teams are throwing bigger and faster players at their opponents….and let all the other intangibles determine their ability to successfully use a player who is considered “undersized” for the league in general. And there certainly are concerns for a team drafting him along with his “teams” decision to for go surgery at this time….pushing off what might seem to be necessary surgery imperils his availability for Spring drills and possible summer camp for the team that drafts him too…..finally, the comparisons you offered were all very good…but they (probably with the exception of Miller, and he’s probably a camp cut) all played in a league against players who were smaller, slower, and physically smaller on the whole….the NFL is and continues to be a league where size, mass, strength, agility are paramount to being able to play…..
You actually watch football you’ll notice when oline pass block their legs are bent which lowers their height, they’re not standing straight up. And there’s a reason they begin in a crouched stance on the line.
Lowering your height lowers your center of gravity which helps maintain balance. It also helps with lateral agility and quick direction changes. Why a 5’11 receiver is better at quick direction changes than a 6’4” receiver
Carter already being 6’3” going up against guys 6’6” or taller he’s already got the leverage advantage if an lineman plays too high
Playing high reduces a olines ability to move laterally (pull trap blocks in a run game or move with a defender in pass blocking) and reduces quickness to change direction (this is often why during stunts oline struggle to pick up the stunts cause they can’t laterally move to cover the gap quick enough or they can’t move fast enough to cut off a lb in the run game).
Come on man…..ever hear the term “little man”….maybe a lineman who’s 6.6 and weights 350 might way that to Carter and it would be appropriate…..that’s your opinion….size, strength, speed, and ability determines success in the NFL….his size certainly is not an automatic, the foot issue affects his speed at least going into this season, and his ability is still a question based on never playing a down in the NFL…..not saying he won’t be, but lets not micro analyze blocking with your legs, crouching, blah, blah, blah…..your opinion which I respect….how about respecting mine…..and yes, I actually played and coached High School football so while I might not know it all, I do have some grounding in the sport….
Im not saying Carter is guaranteed to be a success, I am saying his “size” isn’t really an issue cause many “little man” have turned into great pass rushers. The main theme amongst their ability to win leverage situations.
A guy who’s 6’3″ 230-250 isn’t gonna win a size strength competition outright with a 6’5″ 320-350 pound lineman. But if the small dude has leverage he can compete on par with the size and strength of the lineman. We see it every sunday. Some tackle or guard gets pushed back cause the smaller defender won the leverage battle.
Im not disrespecting your opinion. Sorry if you feel that way. Im explaining what I mean by leverage: using your center of graviry to maintain balance and being able to control your body and movements effectively. In the trenches winning the leverage battle is paramount.
Pass him down the line like how you passed the Cleveland baseball team to root for the Diamondbacks instead, huh?
You mean the Cleveland baseball team that crapped on their fans, and on over a century of history, for the sake of scoring social justice points? Yep!
Stress reaction domino…
I’m sorry but this whole game starts with your feet…hell, every game starts with your feet and if you have a foot problem it will lead to other problems in time. I really like him as a player and think he could be very good but this is like buying a new car with one tire flat…you’ll be able to drive it but you won’t get very far.
I loved him for my Raiders until he played his was well above the 6-slot. But the foot could be a longer-term issue.