Garrett Nussmeier’s draft outlook has taken an unexpected turn just days before the 2026 NFL Draft, as new medical details have emerged about the former LSU star. Once viewed as a potential top-tier prospect, his stock has fluctuated following an inconsistent 2025 season.
The latest update has provided clarity on the injury that affected his performance. While the diagnosis itself sounds alarming, early indications suggest it may not carry long-term consequences.
Garrett Nussmeier’s Diagnosis Sparks Reactions Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
The situation came to light after NFL insider Tom Pelissero shared details from Nussmeier’s medical evaluations at the scouting combine.
According to Pelissero, “Former LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier underwent tests at the NFL combine that revealed a cyst on his spine — the root cause of the persistent oblique pain that derailed his 2025 season, sources say.”
This revelation helps explain why the QB, who entered the year with high expectations, struggled to maintain consistency throughout the campaign.
Pelissero provided further clarity on the nature of the issue, noting, “The cyst was pressing on a nerve, causing discomfort in Nussmeier’s oblique. He has been asymptomatic since just prior to the Senior Bowl and all throughout the draft process; if that changes down the road, Nussmeier could undergo a minimally invasive procedure and miss just 2-3 weeks while stitches heal.”
This context is crucial, as it suggests the injury is currently under control and manageable if symptoms return. Importantly, there appears to be no major long-term concerns associated with the condition.
“Either way, doctors say, there is no short- or long-term risk for Nussmeier, who is projected a mid-round pick in this week’s NFL Draft,” Pelissero emphasized.
While reassuring, the phrase “spinal cyst” alone was enough to trigger strong reactions across social media and the broader NFL landscape. Several analysts and personalities weighed in with immediate responses.
“Absolutely insane for colleges to be bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars and not have the intelligence to have the equipment (or listen to the doctors) to figure this out. Also, some are saying Brian Kelly intentionally wanted Nuss to have the adversity,” content creator Nate noted on X.
Absolutely insane for colleges to be bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars and not have the intelligence to have the equipment (or listen to the doctors) to figure this out.
Also, some are saying Brian Kelly intentionally wanted Nuss to have the adversity. https://t.co/lxdlRFI3Ex
— Nate (@BallCoach_Nate) April 20, 2026
“The more that comes out about Nuss’s situation, the more I: feel awful for him, lose respect for the previous regime, [and] know he shouldn’t have been playing,” Zach Nuñez posted on X.
Meanwhile, analyst Anand Nanduri pointed to potential implications on performance, writing, “Agent working overtime but also this shows up in the difference between his 24 and 25 seasons, so…”
Others offered more technical insight. Physical therapist Mason West explained, “This is a great reminder that the body works as a system. With Garrett Nussmeier, the spine issue didn’t just stay local — it affected nerve input, which can overload muscles like the obliques.”
NFL Draft analyst Ryan Tracy also connected the diagnosis to Nussmeier’s recent struggles, stating, “Quite a diagnosis for a man this age. It does explain a lot of his 2025 performance.”
PFSN draft analyst Ian Cummings provided context on how Nussmeier’s cyst explains both his 2025 performance dip and current evaluation. He noted that the injury directly impacted Nussmeier’s throwing comfort and velocity, while also emphasizing that the condition carries minimal long-term risk.
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“The recent Garrett Nussmeier news not only confirms that he was playing through an oblique injury in 2025, but narrows down the cause of that injury and specifies a relatively low long-term risk,” Cummings noted. “The injury is a prime explanation for Nussmeier’s sharp dip in PFSN QB Impact score, from a top-12 number of 81.6 in 2024 to a figure of 75.9 that fell outside the top-100 qualifying QBs in 2025.”
“The oblique injury visibly affected Nussmeier’s velocity generation and comfort, and at the Senior Bowl, he distinguished himself as one of the best, most consistent QBs present when mostly healthy,” Cummings added.
Despite ongoing concerns about his physical traits, Cummings believes teams will take reassurance from his processing ability and medical outlook, positioning him as a likely QB3 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Even at 100%, there are still questions with Nussmeier,” Cummings continued. “At 6’1 5/8″ and 203 pounds, he’s not a prototypical passer and lacks high-end size, arm strength, and creation ability.”
“But teams confident in Nussmeier’s pre-snap and post-snap processing (elements that are very important for raising a prospect’s floor as an NFL QB) should take additional comfort in the ruling that there are no long-term implications with his injury,” Cummings added. “He should be the favorite to go off the board as the QB3 in the 2026 NFL Draft, either late on Day 2 or early on Day 3,” Cummings stated.
From the PFSN scouting report perspective, Nussmeier remains a polarizing evaluation. “Garrett Nussmeier is one of the most polarizing QB prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly after a 2025 season that saw him benched down the stretch.”
Despite that, evaluators still recognize his competitive edge: “There’s no denying his gamer mentality. Defying his frame, Nussmeier isn’t afraid to stand in and deliver tough throws under pressure,” the scouting report noted.
Statistically, his 2025 campaign reflects those challenges. He posted a 75.9 score on PFSN CFB QB Impact Score (ranked No. 110 among quarterbacks) with a C grade.
Nussmeier’s draft position will likely hinge on how teams interpret both his medical outlook and developmental upside.
