Combine tests show Abdul Carter may need surgery, Pro Day now in question

Abdul Carter is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered at the end of the Penn State football season, forcing him to skip the NFL Combine’s in-person workouts this week. Late Wednesday night, NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed more injury concerns for the former Nittany Lions star defender and potential No. 1 Draft pick.

Overnight, Rapoport reported that Combine medical tests revealed a stress fracture in Carter’s right foot. With Penn State’s Pro Day one month away, Carter’s camp is currently debating whether to have preemptive surgery or delay treatment until after the March 28 workout.

“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.

Tests at the NFL Combine revealed that potential No. 1 pick and PSU star Abdul Carter has a stress reaction in his right foot and he may have surgery.

Option 1 would be to have the pre-emptive surgery, have a screw inserted in his foot, and be back in 8 weeks, agent Drew… pic.twitter.com/ymheGNelts

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2025

Those around Carter are confident that the edge rusher’s Draft stock won’t be impacted by the new injury.

“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.”

It was revealed Monday that Carter would not participate in workouts at this week’s Combine after just being cleared to resume training for a shoulder injury suffered in the Nittany Lions’ College Football Playoff Quarterfinal against Boise State on December 31.

Carter isn’t the only Penn State football star not working out at the Combine

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Five former Nittany Lions were invited to participate in this week’s Combine activities. However, the two biggest Penn State football stars from a season ago won’t be among those partaking in drills at the Draft event.

On Wednesday, FOX NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported that star tight end Tyler Warren will also not work out at the Combine. Like Carter, Warren will strictly do interviews this week.

The 2024 Mackey Award winner is also projected as a potential top 10 pick at next month’s NFL Draft. If Carter and Warren both come off the board early, it would be the first time since 2000 that Penn State football has produced multiple top-10 Draft selections.

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