Multiple prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft are rehabbing from injuries as they enter their professional career.
NFL Draft Prospects Injury Concerns for 2026
These injuries include those that are historically manageable (ACL, rotator cuff, for example) and those that are potentially career-threatening (Achilles). Injuries definitely impact players’ draft stock and their long-term outlook.
Draft Prospects in 2026 NFL Draft: Rehabbing from Injury
Note: This list doesn’t include injuries; there is speculation on but an injury is not confirmed.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee – Rehabbing from an ACL torn January 2025(reports indicate a degenerative knee)
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville – Rehabbing from an ACL torn November 2025
Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson – Rehabbing from a nagging hamstring injury
Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama – Recovering from a 2024 ACL injury
Le’Veon Moss, RB, Texas A&M – recovering from an ankle injury in October 2025 and again in the College Football Playoff game
John Henry Daley, Michigan – Torn Achilles November 2025
Isaiah World, OT, Oregon – Torn ACL(Jan 26)
Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami – Foot and ankle injuries in his college career
Rueben Bain, Jr., DE, Miami – lingering soft tissue injuries
Jacob Rodriquez, LB, Texas Tech – season-ending Lisfranc injury and bone bruise in 2023
Logan Jones, G, Iowa – broken hand bone(2024), previous injuries with his ankle, knee surgery, and shoulder issues
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia – ankle injury (2025), previous shoulder injury
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt – minor, undisclosed
Jordyn Tyson, WR Arizona State – ACL.MCL/PCL(2022); broken collarbone(2024); hamstring(2025)
Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh – concussion history in 2025
NFL Teams historically have been willing to take draft-day gambles on players rehabbing from injuries and/or injury risks
Here are the teams with the most established reputations for taking draft-day gambles on “medical” sliders:
Dallas Cowboys – the ultimate in high-risk and high-reward picks
Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles look for Round 1 players sliding into Rounds 2 and 3 and then grab the distressed picks.
Buffalo Bills – The Bills don’t like taking medical risks at the top of the draft, but are more aggressive in the mid to late rounds.
Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals trust their scouts in assessing talent, even if the injury reports are significant.
Biggest Injury Success Stories from the Draft
- Frank Gore – Gore suffered two ACL injuries at Miami(FL) and had major surgery on both shoulders. He should have been a Round 1 pick, but slid to the third round and pick 65. Gored played sixteen seasons and became the NFL’s third all-time leading rusher.
- Thurman Thomas – Thomas was the second part of the 1-2 punch with Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State, and was a lock to go in the first round. He had a significant injury in his senior year, however, and fell to the second round and pick 40. Thomas ended up in the Hall of Fame.
- Keenan Allen – Allen suffered a PCL injury in his senior year, which prevented him from testing at the NFL Combine. Allen was a highly ranked wide receiver and ended up producing six 1,000-yard seasons.
