Abdul Carter questions raised, answered as NFL future looms

When former Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter met with reporters in Indianapolis on Wednesday afternoon, his shoulder was a big topic of conversation. An injury setback that forced him out of action in the second half of the Fiesta Bowl, throwing his Orange Bowl performance a week later into doubt, the Nittany Lion played through the injury.

It was one of the proudest moments of his Penn State career, he said.

“I feel like I left it all out there. I just got one more opportunity to play with my brothers that I’ve been playing with the last three years. It just really summed up my whole time at Penn State, and I get to leave it all out on the field,” he said. “I just feel like my teammates needed me. I couldn’t have played, but I felt like, just leave it all out there, give us the best opportunity to win. And I feel like that’s what I did. And if I had to do it again, I’d make the same choice.”

Pro Day return eyed

This week at the NFL Combine, the same commitment won’t be necessary.

Choosing to not work out for franchises, Carter has instead turned his attention to Penn State’s Pro Day at Holuba Hall, which is set for March 28. There, the progress of his rehabilitation efforts are expected to shine.

“It’s been good. I’m really just starting to heat it up right now. I just got cleared to really start training, start working out again,” said Carter. “What my next couple weeks look like are just me getting right, me getting ready for my Pro Day. And once I get to my Pro Day, to perform at an elite level.

“I’m probably about 90 percent right now, but these next couple months, this next month, I feel like it’s where I really get to start getting close to 100.”

NFL Combine questions arise for Abdul Carter

That was the case, anyway, until a play in two acts unfolded from ESPN reporter Adam Schefter on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Undergoing medical testing while in Indianapolis, Carter was revealed to have a “stress reaction” in his right foot, with a quesiton over surgery on the table. As expressed by Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, opinions were mixed as to whether or not that would be the best course of action. 

Further reporting said Carter could have a screw inserted in his right foot with a recovery period of eight weeks, according to Rosenhaus. Or, he could “prove to NFL teams that he doesn’t need” the surgery by working out for the Penn State Pro Day anyway.

Nine hours later on Thursday morning, resolution arrived.

From the tweet:

Doctors told Penn St. DE and projected No. 1 pick Abdul Carter that, after further scans on his right foot, surgery is not advisable. Carter will work out at his March 28 pro day at Penn State.

“I couldn’t be more confident that this will be a non-factor where he’s drafted,” Carter’s agent Drew Rosenhaus said today. “He will put on a show at his pro day.”

Next steps

With or without that performance next month, Carter remains one of the buzziest prospects ahead of this year’s NFL Draft. Putting that opportunity into context with reporters, Carter insisted that his aspirations are within sight, including the possibility of becoming the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s cycle.

“It’s very important for me. That’s one of the goals I made before the season. It’s something I always talked about. It is what I work for, and I feel like I’m getting close to that. Just got to keep working, keep putting the effort in and accomplish my dream,” he said. “I feel like it’s very realistic. And I feel like I’m the best player in the country, and the best players should be selected number one.

“It’s all about heart for me. It’s all about will for me. And I got more of that than anybody.”

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