Penn State All-America edge rusher Abdul Carter, projected as one of the top selections in this year’s NFL draft, will not work out this week at the NFL Scouting Combine because he is still recovering from a shoulder injury, his agents said Monday.
Carter was injured in the Nittany Lions’ 31-14 victory over Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Dec. 31, and he played through the injury when Notre Dame downed Penn State 27-24 in a semifinal game on Jan. 9.
Carter’s agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey, told reporters that Carter would be recovered in time for Penn State’s pro day on March 28. Rosenhaus said he forwarded a letter to NFL teams from Dallas Cowboys team physician Dan Cooper, who examined Carter’s shoulder this month, that said the pass rusher recently was medically cleared to resume training.
Carter, 21, still could participate in interviews with NFL teams at the combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where defensive linemen and linebackers are among the first to participate.
A consensus All-America selection and the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Carter totaled 68 tackles, including 23.5 tackles for loss to lead the FBS, as well as 12 sacks and two forced fumbles in 16 games.
A former linebacker who moved this season to defensive end, Carter had 172 career tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 23 sacks and five forced fumbles in 42 games the past three seasons.
