The NFL Scouting Combine is the premier event of the pre-draft cycle, sending the football world to Indianapolis for a week of interviews, athletic testing, team meetings, and more. Subsequently, reports and rumors have begun to circulate, none bigger than concerns about Ohio State safety Caleb Downs’ knee, which has emerged as a surprise issue threatening his top-10 projection.
Caleb Downs Injury Report Sets Social Media Ablaze
Cory Kinnan of the “Daft on Draft” substack reported that during the Combine, Downs was “flagged with a partially torn meniscus” and “a potentially degenerative ACL.” As the first to report the news on a well-known blue-chip prospect, the post quickly gained steam, with “The Pat McAfee Show” acknowledging it and meeting Kinnan with skepticism.
“We reached out to multiple NFL teams about Caleb Downs this morning.. They told us that there is NOTHING in the medical that would deter them from bringing him in,” the show’s official account posted on X.
It’s worth noting that McAfee didn’t necessarily debunk Kinnan’s report, and that it was never reported that Downs was going to see a significant fall down boards. Teams can (and have) taken prospects with known medical concerns in the top 10.
We reached out to multiple NFL teams about Caleb Downs this morning..
They told us that there is NOTHING in the medical that would deter them from brining him in #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/4TSopny8aU
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 3, 2026
Even so, it stands to reason that Downs could fall if teams continue to view his medicals unfavorably.
“We need to give @fakecorykinnan some credit here for reporting this,” Marcus Mosher wrote on X. “It’s also worth wondering what could happen to Downs’ stock considering how good this safety class is…”
We need to give @fakecorykinnan some credit here for reporting this.
It’s also worth wondering what could happen to Downs’ stock considering how good this safety class is…https://t.co/wKFygjkhHK https://t.co/qwqTxrPq6V
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 2, 2026
Downs currently ranks second on the PFSN Big Board. Despite ranking 63rd by the PFSN CFB Safety Impact Metrics in 2025, his instincts and versatility have made him a consensus top-15 prospect.
Safeties, though, tend to fall in April, giving teams hope that a blue-chip talent could fall far enough to join a playoff-ready roster.
“Partially torn meniscus? Degenerative ACL you say? Definitely can’t take him in the top 13,” the SleeperRavens account posted.
Partially torn meniscus? Degenerative ACL you say? Definitely can’t take him in the top 13…
▫️Malaki Starks – FS
▫️Caleb Downs – SS
▫️Kyle Hamilton – NSJust imagine 🤯 pic.twitter.com/OfbZ4owosq
— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) March 3, 2026
The Ravens, of course, pick 14th in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Some were more hesitant. Investing millions of dollars into a prospect with injury concerns is a risk some teams aren’t willing to take, especially with the opportunity cost of an early-first-round pick.
“Oh sh*t — Caleb Downs with a degenerative ACL on that MetLife surface sounds like absolute hell,” Alex Wilson, Founder of Empire Sports Media, added.
Others were similarly hesitant. The Dallas Cowboys, for example, could use a difference-maker on defense to headline the post-Micah Parsons era of America’s Team. But with promising prospects at multiple defensive positions, Downs might be less of a priority.
Law Nation Sports asked, “Cowboys Fans… Are We Still All-In on Caleb Downs???”
#Cowboys Fans… Are We Still All-In on Caleb Downs??? pic.twitter.com/IdznCNo8Uf
— Law Nation Sports (@LawsNation) March 3, 2026
Dallas is slotted to pick 12th and 20th. The Cowboys may pass on Downs because of these concerns, but it still feels unrealistic to expect him to fall to that second selection. Ultimately, the Downs news has been met with optimism, both from media members and fans who hope he falls to their favorite team.
“Note to GMs: Caleb Downs on one meniscus and one ACL clears anybody else you’re considering,” College Football Nerds posted.
While many remain skeptical, Downs’ knee is bound to be a storyline during the home stretch of draft season. We’ll see just how much the league weighs his medicals by the end of Round 1.
