Abdul Carter's NFL draft stock just became more complicated.
The Penn State pass rusher, believed to be among the candidates to go first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, has a stress reaction in his right foot, but will not require surgery, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Carter underwent further scans on the foot and doctors said that surgery is not advisable. He still plans to take part in Penn State's pro day in March 28.
“I couldn’t be more confident that this will be a non-factor where he’s drafted,” Carter’s agent Drew Rosenhaus said. “He will put on a show at his pro day.”
Rosenhaus also told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport he doesn't believe the issue will change where Carter is drafted:
“Either way, we don’t expect this to impact where he is drafted,” Rosenhaus said. "After visiting with teams this week, I believe he’s going to be the No. 1 overall pick.
Carter had been previously reported to not be working out at the NFL scouting combine due to a lingering shoulder injury.
Carter finished his career at Penn State as a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, leading the country with 24 tackles for loss as well as 12 sacks and 68 combined tackles. He is among the most explosive pass rushers to hit the draft in the past few years, and chof360 Sports' most recent mock draft has him going No. 2.
It remains to be seen how this latest issue will affect Carter in teams' eyes. His pro day decision will be significant, as missing the scouting combine means it will be his only other real chance to provide measurements to back up his elite tape.
