Docs advise against surgery for potential top pick Abdul Carter

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter (DL44) during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesDoctors have advised potential No. 1 NFL draft pick Abdul Carter against having foot surgery, agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN on Thursday. After tests Wednesday revealed a stress reaction in the former Penn State edge rusher's right foot, Rosenhaus said there were "mixed opinions" about whether he needed a preemptive procedure to insert a screw into his foot. Following further scans on the All-American's foot, however, Rosenhaus said Thursday that the injury is now a "non-factor" in his client's draft status and that Carter will work out at Penn State's pro day on March 28. "I couldn't be more confident that this will be a non-factor where he's drafted," Rosenhaus told ESPN. "He will put on a show at his pro day." Carter had not been expected to work out during this week's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis due to a shoulder injury sustained in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Boise State in December. The news about the foot injury came to light just hours after Carter said he felt it was "very realistic" that he would be the top overall pick of the draft. "I feel like I'm the best player in the country. The best player should be selected No. 1," he said. A consensus All-America selection and the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Carter had 68 tackles, including 23.5 for loss to lead the FBS, plus 12 sacks and two forced fumbles in 16 games. Carter, a former linebacker who moved this season to defensive end, had 172 career tackles -- 41 for loss -- along with 23 sacks and five forced fumbles in 42 games for Penn State the past three seasons. --Field Level Media

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