Skip to main content
Join

Abdul Carter injury update: Drew Rosenhaus updates Penn State star's status for Orange Bowl vs. Notre Dame

by:Alex Byington•about 21 hours•

_AlexByington

Abdul Carter
Abdul Carter (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Penn State head coach James Franklin recently announced he anticipates Nittany Lions star pass rusher Abdul Carter playing in tonight’s College Football Playoff national semifinal against Notre Dame despite a shoulder injury. Now, Carter’s NIL agent Drew Rosenhaus, one of the most successful NFL agents out there, has reaffirmed that game-time designation while raving about Carter’s toughness.

Joining The Pat McAfee Show, Rosenhaus offered a positive outlook on the status of the Penn State star. It is clear that Carter plans to go out giving it all he has.

Get your team’s official College Football Playoff watch from AXIA by CLICKING HERE: “Watches that tell so much more than time”

“This guy is a warrior, he loves his coaches and his team, he would fight to win the championship no matter how much was at risk,” Rosenhaus said of Carter on Thursday afternoon’s The Pat McAfee Show. “I was at the last game where he hurt his shoulder and the guy went out there and tried to play with one arm. If he can play tonight, he will. There is no discussion about don’t put out bad tape, no thought about risk of injury. He’s going to give it his all for Penn State, his teammates deserve that, that’s who he is, that’s how he was raised by his parents, and that’s what makes him great.”

Rosenhaus explained his relationship with Carter, who is widely projected to be a top five pick in April’s 2025 NFL Draft, as simply a “NIL client,” though he expressed hope the Penn State pass rusher will chose the Rosenhaus Sports agendy as his NFL representation.

“NIL does not carry over into the NFL, so Abdul still has to make that decision, but we would obviously be honored to represent him because I believe he’s going to be one of the first picks of the draft,” Rosenhaus said of Carter. “But relative to tonight’s game, if this guy (Carter) can play, physically if there’s a chance, he will do it.

“I’ve been an NFL agent for 36 years, this is absolutely one of the toughest human beings I’ve ever been affiliated with. Just watch this guy play, he plays so hard every snap. If he can go, he’ll go. But he has a legitimate shoulder injury. And (James) Franklin came out and said it’s a game-time decision. It really is.”

James Franklin reveals Abdul Carter’s status for College Football Playoff semifinal vs. Notre Dame

Carter has been a massive force for the Nittany Lions’ defense this season. He has 63 total tackles, including 22 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks this season alone. That has made the future first round NFL Draft pick a game wrecker who also opens up opportunities for other Penn State defenders.

“Abdul’s approached this the right way. He wants to play,” Franklin said. “He’s put a ton of like cryptic messages out on social media, which you guys have probably seen those. I learn as much from those as I do from our trainers. But we are hopeful and expecting Abdul to play and we’ll see how that plays out.”

Carter’s health has the potential to be a game changer. In fact, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum recently shared that he thinks that Carter is the x-factor for Penn State.

“It’s Abdul Carter and he is such an outstanding player but he has been injured,” Finebaum said. “He suffered an arm injury against Boise State and they need him desperately in this game. James Franklin did not really address the issue. He will be the key tomorrow night.”

Notre Dame enters the Orange Bowl 30th nationally in sacks allowed, giving up 1.29 sacks per game. However, the expectation is that the Irish are going to look to run the ball downhill at the Nittany Lions. With the 11th-ranked rushing offense in the country, averaging 217.5 yards per game, Notre Dame is going to make this a physical game with all hands on deck to stop the run.

Notre Dame and Penn State will play in the Orange Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, with the winner advancing to play for the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Dan Morrison contributed to this report.