Penn State DE Abdul Carter Will Reportedly Not Need Surgery to Repair Right Foot Injury

INDIANAPOLIS — Abdul Carter, who has the potential to become Penn State’s first No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick since 2000, has been advised by doctors not to undergo surgery to repair a stress reaction in his right foot, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday.

Carter already opted out of participating in on-field drills at this week’s scouting combine because of a shoulder injury he sustained against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. He told reporters on Wednesday that he was “probably 90%” healthy, but that was before news broke of his foot injury.

Carter all but confirmed on social media that he will participate in the Nittany Lions’ Pro Day on March 28. And his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN that he “couldn’t be more confident” that Carter’s foot injury will be a “nonfactor” in terms of where he’s drafted.

After becoming a consensus All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in his first full season as a defensive end, Carter confidently professed why he believes he should become the first overall pick, which is currently owned by the Tennessee Titans.

“I feel like I’m the best player in the country, and the best player should be picked first,” Carter said on Wednesday.

Carter and tight end Tyler Warren, Penn State’s two projected first-round draft picks, will both sit out of on-field drills at the combine. Just three Nittany Lions will participate: linebacker Kobe King and safeties Kevin Winston Jr. and Jaylen Reed.