Abdul Carter, the standout Penn State pass rusher and potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has medical concerns at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Tests revealed an injury that’s raising questions about his draft status and potential need for surgery.
Will Abdul Carter’s Injury Require Surgery?
Initially, tests revealed a stress reaction in Carter’s right foot, which had the football world buzzing. Would the All-American need surgery? How does this revelation impact his draft position?
However, the latest update brings positive news for Carter and the NFL teams interested in selecting the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. After undergoing further scans on his foot, doctors have advised against surgery. This prognosis allows Carter to proceed with his plans to participate in Penn State’s pro day on March 28.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Carter’s agent Drew Rosenhaus expressed confidence in the situation, stating, “I couldn’t be more confident that this will be a non-factor where he’s drafted. He will put on a show at his pro day”. Rosenhaus believes this issue will not impact Carter’s draft position and maintains that he could still be the first overall pick.
After consulting with doctors again this morning, the plan is for Abdul Carter to work out at his Pro Day and not have surgery. He has reported no pain for what is a small stress reaction in his foot.
The belief is, despite the scare, he should be ok. https://t.co/fMddKBFpzA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2025
Carter planned to skip workouts at the combine due to a shoulder injury he suffered during Penn State’s Fiesta Bowl win over Boise State. Despite these setbacks, Carter remains optimistic about his draft prospects. In a recent interview, the game-wrecking EDGE sent a bold message to NFL teams, “I feel like I’m the best player in the country, and the best player should be selected No. 1.”
In his scouting report on Carter, PFSN’s Brentley Weissman added, “Carter is a rare athlete, even for NFL standards, and has the potential to be a true difference-making pass rusher. He needs to continue working on getting stronger and getting off of blocks, but as long as the team who drafts him understands his skill set and where he wins best, there’s little reason to believe he won’t be an immediate impact player at the next level.”
Which NFL Team Will Draft Abdul Carter After The Recent Injury Update?
If Carter’s social media activity is any indication, the Philadelphia Eagles would be the team drafting 2024’s NCAA leader in tackles for loss. The Eagles have the last pick in the first round of the draft, so unless there’s a massive trade up or an incredibly detrimental story that tanks his draft stock, that union seems improbable.
PFSN’s Owain Jones had Carter landing with the Cleveland Browns at the second pick of the first round, lauding Carter’s, “elite athleticism, freaky flexibility, and an ever-expanding arsenal of skill moves to rack up double-digit sacks in the NFL.”
Marco Enriquez believes the Tennessee Titans snag Carter with the first overall pick, adding, “Carter displays incredible athleticism and quickness off the edge. He generates pressure with an aggressive burst and strong pursuit. Carter is a Brian Burns clone; he stays fluid and is developing an increasingly impressive variety of pass-rush moves. They don’t fix the entire roster in Round 1 but land a staple on their defense for years to come.”
Attention now turns to Carter’s performance at Penn State’s pro day, where he’ll have the opportunity to put any worries to bed and make a case to be the top pick in the draft.