In my previous article, I listed some medically clean prospects the Lions might target in the first round. Now, let's review select prospects the Lions might be interested in who enter the league with medical concerns.
Based on publicly available information, I've grouped the players into three levels of concern - severe, moderate, and mild. Today, I'll start with the severe concern group. Teams have much more information than is available publicly so the concern levels may vary.
These players may be projected to go much earlier than the Lions #28 pick, but medical concerns could cause them to drop into trade-up range. And Brad Holmes has proven he has no qualms about trading up in the 1st round (Terrion Arnold, Jameson Williams). Ages are at start of the 2025 season.
Abdul Carter EDGE, Penn State - age 21
Latest DraftWire projection: #3
At the combine, a stress reaction was discovered in his right foot. While the exact anatomic location of the injury is unknown, it raises suspicion for a 5th metatarsal Jones fracture. This is reminiscent of the Jones fractures with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Johnny Newton last year which may have caused both players to slip into the 2nd round. McKinstry ended up getting surgery after the combine, while Newton had surgery after the draft.
On April 10, Carter's agent Drew Rosenhaus stated that he had a medical re-check and no surgery will be needed, but I suspect there is a possibility he'll still end up having surgery after the draft. If it is indeed a Jones fracture, that carries a risk with or without surgery of non-union (non-healing bone), refracture, and decreased athletic ability.
Also of concern is a shoulder injury that Carter suffered in the college football playoffs. He played through the injury, but a late-season injury like this needs to be investigated to determine its nature and severity. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, stated that he was still rehabbing the shoulder in April.
His medical concerns along with his lack of workouts at the combine and the Penn State pro day could be unnerving for teams at the top of the draft. From the Lions standpoint, the concerns may cause him to slip in the draft a little, but he'll likely still be well out of reach unless there is a Jameson Williams-level (32 to 12) trade up.
Will Johnson CB, Michigan - age 22
Latest DraftWire projection: #16
Michigan fans have seen Johnson's spectacular abilities help win a national championship in 2023. The same fans also saw him spend much of the 2024 season on the sideline.
Johnson stated he "tore some ligaments in my toe" in October that prevented running until "mid-January". For a toe injury to last three months is highly concerning especially with no game action since. He also had a shoulder ...