DE Abdul Carter’s path to the 2025 NFL Draft just hit a bump, but his camp insists it won’t derail his status as a potential No. 1 overall pick.
The Penn State pass rusher, who already sat out of Combine workouts due to a shoulder injury, now has another medical concern—a stress reaction in his right foot, which has cast doubts across the football community.
Buzz Around Abdul Carter and His NFL Draft Stock Post-Injury Reports
Carter’s injury was flagged during his medical evaluation in Indianapolis. Despite his confidence that he could still sail any boat with his skills, he faces a decision: undergo surgery and miss roughly two months or try to power through and prove he doesn’t need it.
His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, addressed the situation, saying, “There are mixed opinions on whether he needs surgery, and we will figure that out in the near future.”
If Carter goes under the knife, he’ll likely have a screw inserted in his foot, forcing him to the sidelines. However, if he opts to play through it, he could still showcase his skills at Penn State’s Pro Day on March 28. That’s a crucial decision with major draft implications, but Rosenhaus remains bullish.
Tests today revealed that potential No. 1 pick Abdul Carter has a stress reaction in his right foot and the Penn State standout will need to decide soon whether to have surgery, sources told ESPN.
“There are mixed opinions on whether he needs surgery, and we will figure that out… pic.twitter.com/9nyRyjFxlG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2025
“Either way, worst case scenario, we don’t expect this to impact where he is drafted,” he said Rosenhaus. “After visiting with teams this week, I believe he’s going to be the No. 1 overall pick.”
PFSN’s latest mock draft has Carter going No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans, and there’s no denying Carter’s talent. The guy dominated college football last season, leading the nation in tackles for loss (24) while also ranking third in pressures (66) and seventh in sacks (12). A unanimous All-American, he played through a shoulder injury in Penn State’s playoff loss to Notre Dame and was cleared to resume training just before this foot issue popped up.
Brentley Weissman, in his scouting report for PFSN, described Carter as a “speed rusher who plays with a relentless motor.” He added,
“His speed makes it nearly impossible for opposing quarterbacks to get away from him when he is closing down in pursuit, and he makes a ton of plays late in the down by never giving up on his rush. Carter has a little tightness in his lower half but still shows the ability to bend and corner at the top of his rush and is an excellent finisher.”
Nevertheless, the situation is pretty tough, but Carter’s confidence hasn’t wavered one bit. He spoke at the Combine before the injury news surfaced and made it clear where he sees himself.
“I feel like I’m the best player in the country, and the best player should be selected No. 1,” he told CBS.
With the draft just two months away, teams will have to weigh Carter’s elite production against his medical concerns. If he can prove he’s healthy, his stock remains sky-high. On the flip side, he would face strong competition from Colorado’s Travis Hunter, who is also a top contender and could shake up the race for the No. 1 pick.