Abdul Carter Injury Update

Potential first-overall pick Abdul Carter (Penn State) will not compete at the annual draft combine after suffering a foot injury. Here’s what we know.

Abdul Carter Injury Update

Unlike last year, the identity of the top choice in this year’s draft class is a total mystery. It could be a quarterback like Cam Ward or Shadeur Sanders, Heisman trophy winner Travis Hunter, who is an elite prospect with offensive and defensive flexibility but perhaps lacks a clear home, or pass rusher Abdul Carter.

The Penn State defender has drawn comparisons to Micah Parsons. If those comparisons hold up, selecting him with the first overall pick isn’t the worst choice. However, an injury forces him to sit out the draft combine.

Adam Schefter tweeted on Thursday, “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 in the near future,’ Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus said Wednesdasy night in Indianapolis, site of the NFL’s annual scouting combine.”

The reporter added, “Doctors told Penn St. DE and projected No. 1 pick Abdul Carter that, after further scans on his right foot, surgery is not advisable. Carter will work out at his March 28 pro day at Penn State. ‘I couldn’t be more confident that this will be a non-factor where he’s drafted,” Carter’s agent Drew Rosenhaus said today. “He will put on a show at his pro day.'”

Previously, it had become known that the defender wouldn’t work out at the combine due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the CFB playoffs. That injury, just like the foot injury, isn’t believed to be a long-term problem and shouldn’t be a factor when he is working out at his pro day in March.

In his three seasons at Penn State, Carter displayed impressive durability, playing in 42 games, including 16 last season. He tabulated 104 solo tackles (172 total) as well as 23 sacks (12 in 2024) and 41 tackles for loss.

On Wednesday, the edge rusher said, “I feel like I’m the best player in the country and the best player should be selected No. 1.”

Asked about the Titans, he noted, “They have the No. 1 pick, and I want to be the No. 1 pick.”

Carter being the first player taken on April 24th is quite realistic at this point, but he needs to be at 100% on his pro day and show that the injuries aren’t a concern going forward. Otherwise, teams might look in a different direction, regardless of how impressive his play was in the 2024 campaign.