Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter, the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, suffered a devastating injury before day 1 of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Just after 11:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Abdul Carter underwent tests that showed a stress reaction in the right foot. Carter opted against working out at the combine as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery.

Drew Rosenhaus, Carter’s agent, outlined the two options for Carter, per Schefter:

“One, he could have pre-emptive surgery, have a screw inserted in his right foot, and be expected back in eight weeks.

Two, he could bypass the surgery, conduct his pro day at Penn State on March 28 and prove to NFL teams that he doesn’t need it.”

Per Schefter, Rosenhaus said he doesn’t expect the foot injury to affect where Carter lands in the April draft. The Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 selection, followed by the Cleveland Browns (No. 2), New York Giants (No. 3), New England Patriots (No. 4) and Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 5).

Though Abdul Carter is the consensus top prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, he’s far from a guarantee to go first overall. The Titans could very well use that pick on a quarterback like Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.

Tennessee could also take can’t-miss Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. Or they could trade the selection to the highest bidder, likely a team seeking Ward or Sanders.

Abdul Carter Has Been Compared To Micah Parsons

Some scouts and analysts have compared Carter to fellow Penn State product Micah Parsons, a 2021 first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys. In his final college season, the 6-foot-3 Carter racked up 12 sacks, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups.