Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter is widely expected to be taken inside the first three picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. With a ferocious motor, powerful and violent hands, and the No. 11 on his back, Carter drew obvious comparisons to Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons in 2024.
But while Carter’s dominance shows up on tape, he’s had some issues with injuries. He has been dealing with a shoulder injury from the previous season, and after his foot showed a strain ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, he had to sit out the event as well as his pro day.
Abdul Carter’s Recovery on Pace
However, some positive updates followed his medical recheck in Indianapolis, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, believes the stress reaction should be “a non-factor” for NFL teams at this point.
Carter was expected to need surgery to heal his foot, but the latest medical checkup has confirmed that it isn’t needed. As per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the checkup revealed the edge rusher’s foot was healing and “no surgery will be needed.”
“It should be a non-factor with the teams at this point,” Rosenhaus said.
It’s worth noting that Rosenhaus shared a similar confidence ahead of Penn State’s pro day, adding that Carter would “put on a show.” However, the edge rusher sat out the on-field drills, and whether it was a preventive measure or something else remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, the injury concerns haven’t impacted Carter’s draft stock much. In PFSN’s latest mock draft by Bentley Weissman, he is projected to be picked third overall by the New York Giants.
Weissman writes, “The New York Giants seem set at quarterback for now after adding Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency, so I think they’ll go with the best player available — and that’s Abdul Carter.
“Carter is the top pass rusher in this class and a real game-wrecker off the edge. He combines rare explosiveness and power, making him nearly unblockable in one-on-one situations. Even with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux already in place, I don’t see the Giants passing on a talent like Carter.”
As a freshman, Carter racked up 56 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks while playing a rotational role. His sophomore season saw a slight dip in production as he moved to off-ball linebacker, posting 48 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks, along with an interception.
Carter’s 2024 season was his best yet, earning him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors and a CSN honorable All-American selection. He led Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinal, finishing the year with 68 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. He also forced two fumbles and broke up four passes, with his tackles for loss leading all of FBS.
Abdul Carter remains one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, despite concerns about his injuries.