Matt Corral provides major injury update at NFL Combine

After opting not to throw and workout at the NFL Scouting Combine, Matt Corral shared a surprising update on his ankle on Wednesday.

The former Ole Miss standout told the media that he’s 100% healthy at this point. He’s been rehabbing the injury to his ankle that he suffered in the Sugar Bowl. His diagnosis put his rehab time between six to eight weeks, however, Corral only began throwing again two weeks ago. It’s possible that he feels he needs more reps before the scouts begin judging him live versus his first-round competitors.

Regardless, Corral plans to work out for scouts at Ole Miss’s Pro Day on March 23.

The dual-threat quarterback revealed several interviews with NFL teams after the first day at the combine. He sat down with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders.

After interviewing with the Steelers, Corral told the media that he would “love” the challenge of following in Ben Roethlisberger’s footsteps in Pittsburgh.

Corral threw for 3,300 yards in each of the last two seasons. In 2020, he threw for 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. This past season, Corral threw 20 touchdowns and cut down his interception number to five. He also emerged as a dangerous runner, rushing for 614 yards and 11 more touchdowns.

Corral to Detroit?

In Mel Kiper’s version 2.0 Mock Draft, only three quarterbacks went the first round. Washington selected Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett 11th overall. The Steelers took Liberty’s Malik Willis at 20th overall, and the Lions used the final pick in the first round on Matt Corral of Ole Miss.

The Detroit Lions have two first-round picks and after taking Aidan Hutchinson high, Kiper currently predicts the Lions will go for Corral.

“Let’s end this mock draft with another quarterback because I’m not convinced Jared Goff will be Detroit’s long-term signal-caller,” Kiper said. “Corral could be, though, and in this scenario he could get time to learn behind Goff in 2022, when the Lions almost certainly won’t be contending in the NFC North. Yes, they have several needs, but if they can get a quarterback with a fifth-year option, they could continue the positive momentum of their rebuild.”