Even without participating in a single drill at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine this week, Abdul Carter has made plenty of headlines. First, for claiming that he deserved to be the No. 1 overall selection, then for the discovery of a stress reaction in his right foot, and now because that injury doesn’t require surgery so Carter will be cleared to participate in Penn State’s Pro Day on March 28.
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.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2025
“I couldn’t be more confident that this will be a non-factor where he’s drafted,”… pic.twitter.com/pHTkIzDcWM
When the injury was discovered on Wednesday night, Carter’s agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that preemptive surgery was an option and that route would have kept Carter sidelined for his Pro Day workouts.
Carter previously opted out of the drills at the Combine in Indianapolis this week because he had just recently been cleared to begin training after suffering a shoulder injury in Penn State’s College Football Playoff Quarterfinal win over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve. The reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year did manage to play through the injury in the CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl, a last-second loss to Notre Dame, but has been on the shelf recovering since.
Despite the recent flurry of injury news, Carter was a reliable player throughout his three seasons in Happy Valley. He played over 500 snaps each year and cleared 700 in 2024 as the Nittany Lions played 16 games.
Although he’s only played the position for one year, Carter is widely regarded as the best edge rusher in the 2025 draft class and is a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick held by the Tennessee Titans. Surgery on his foot at this point in the process could have dropped Carter down draft boards, though still likely not outside the top five, but now he’ll have a chance to submit his status as the top prospect next month in Happy Valley.