At the midway point of this year’s NFL Combine, the biggest stories of the day involved injuries past and present.
By: Cory Burrell
Two linebackers suffering knee injuries had two very different combine experiences, while a quarterback prospect needed to pull out of the combine tests following an injury. But it was not all injury news – the day also brought some fantastic testing performances by players, especially one speedy wide receiver. Get a review of some of the biggest news of the combine at Optimum Scouting.
Jaylon Smith’s Injury Worries Teams
If teams drafted purely on skill, linebacker Jaylon Smith would be a no-brainer first-round choice for nearly any teams. Unfortunately for Smith, concerns over his long-term health may scare teams off from taking the talented linebacker.
According to a report from ESPN, multiple teams failed Smith on his physical today and some teams have no intention of drafting Smith at all.
Smith had a successful collegiate career at Notre Dame, capped off by a dominant 2015 season. Smith earned consensus All-American honors as well as the Dick Butkus Award as the nation’s most outstanding linebacker. But Smith torn his MCL and ACL in his left knee in the Fiesta Bowl, his final game as a member of the Fighting Irish, which will cost him at least most of the 2016 season.
Details on the exact extent of the damage suffered from the tears have been murky at best. Smith responded to questions over his injury at the combine. Smith said he would be “back to 100 percent,” but was not sure how long it would take. Smith also denied reports stating the nerve in his knee was stretched.
“The nerve wasn’t stretched at all,” Smith said. “It’s just the healing game.”
Despite Smith’s optimism, concerns over Smith’s knee and possible nerve damage seem likely to sink Smith’s chance of being a day one draft pick. Optimum Scouting ranked Smith the top inside linebacker of the draft before the combine. Depending on where Smith falls, a team willing to gamble on a smooth recovery for Smith could find themselves with one of the biggest steals in the draft.
Will Fuller Sets The Pace in 40-Yard Dash
It was not all bad news today for the top prospects from Notre Dame. Wide receiver Will Fuller topped all wide receivers in the 40-yard dash, posting a time of 4.32 seconds. His time was the best among all wide receivers and just a hundredth of a second shy of the current top time at this year’s combine, posted by running back Keith Marshall.
Fuller posted back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons for a Notre Dame offense that struggled to find consistency at quarterback. His lightning-quick speed and outstanding athleticism make him a challenge for defenses to mark, but he has also gained a reputation for dropping passes.
Fuller projects as the ninth-best wide receiver according to Optimum Scouting’s pre-combine rankings.
Hamstring Injury Ends Cardale Jones Combine Performance
Cardale Jones was not able to display his talents too much at the combine. Jones injured his hamstring during the 40-yard dash, cutting his combine showing short.
Jones pulled up after his second attempt at the 40-yard dash and soon had his right leg wrapped and iced after the apparent injury. His time was clocked as 4.83 unofficially on his first run. NFL.com listed Cardale Jones at a 4.81 in the 40, 10th among all quarterbacks and within a few hundredths of second of all but Jeff Driskel, who blew away all QBs with a time of 4.56.
George Whitfield, Jones’ throwing coach, said the injury should not be serious and should not hamper Jones’ pro day at Ohio State less than two weeks away.
“I think if he’s smart about his therapy over the next two weeks, he should be ready,” Whitfield said. “A pulled hamstring is better than a torn one.”
Cardale ranks as the fifth-best quarterback in Optimum Scouting’s pre-combine rankings and projects as a third-round talent.
Myles Jack Confidant Knee Injury No Longer an Issue
Former UCLA linebacker Myles Jack knows as well as anyone the red flags any injury, especially a knee injury, could raise on a NFL prospect. But Jack insists there should be no serious medical concerns on his season-ending injury that occurred months ago.
“I don’t have any issues, any character flaws, I haven’t done anything bad,” Jack said. “Really, the medical question is the only question people have. I feel like I can erase all that in my pro day.”
Jack, the heart and soul of a staunch Bruins defense during his college career, displayed a mix of skill, versatility, and athleticism that drew rave reviews from scouts. The hype subdued slightly when Jack went down just three games into his junior season to a serious knee injury.
Jack’s recovery was focused and, according to the linebacker prospect, very successful. Jack dropped out of school shortly after the injury to commit to rehabbing his knee and preparing himself for the NFL. Rehabilitation ranged from long hours of strength and flexibility workouts to changing up his entire diet, as Jack’s agent, John Thornton, can vouch.
“He was eating In-N-Out Burgers every day, Chick-fil-A — everybody eats like that at school,” Thornton said. “But when you’re going through rehab, you’ve got to change your body.”
While he was only able to participate in the bench press at the combine, Jack said team doctors at the combine went through a battery of medical tests to test his knee. According to a report from Fansided.com, there were still “some questions” involving Jack’s knee that could potentially affect his status in the draft. But Jack and Thornton said they are confident teams will see the knee issues are a non-issue.
“[A lot of teams told us] ‘You won’t be there when we’re drafting,'” Thornton said, “We’re going to be there for somebody.”
Jack projects as the top outside linebacker of the draft according to Optimum Scouting’s pre-combine rankings.
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