Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter, one of the most highly regarded prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft and a potential target for the New England Patriots at No. 4 overall, will not participate in the on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine this week. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Carter has yet to receive clearance for workouts due to a shoulder injury sustained during Penn State’s playoff quarterfinal against Boise State in late December.
Despite being allowed to resume training, Carter’s focus in Indianapolis will be on medical evaluations and team interviews. His agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey, confirmed that while he won’t be participating in drills, he remains on schedule to showcase his skills at Penn State’s pro day on March 28. The Patriots are expected to be among the teams interviewing him, given their potential interest in bolstering their edge-rushing unit.
Carter, 21, declared for the draft after three strong seasons at Penn State, opting to forgo his final year of eligibility. His 2024 campaign was his most dominant yet, as he appeared in 16 games and recorded 12.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and numerous disruptive plays. His performance earned him unanimous All-American honors and the title of Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, Carter has the ideal combination of size, power, and athleticism that NFL teams covet in an edge rusher.
For New England, selecting Carter early in the first round would make sense given their pressing need for pass-rushing help. With new head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm, the Patriots could look to reinforce their defensive front. Currently, their roster features only one experienced edge rusher in Anfernee Jennings, with backups Titus Leo and Truman Jones still unproven at the NFL level. Additionally, Oshane Ximines is set to hit free agency after missing most of the 2024 season with a torn ACL.
The Scouting Combine officially kicked off Sunday, with medical evaluations and interviews taking place early in the week before on-field drills begin Thursday and continue through Sunday, March 2. While Carter won’t be showcasing his abilities in those workouts, his interviews and medical assessments will still be crucial in determining his draft stock. Teams, including the Patriots, will closely monitor his recovery as he prepares to make his pro day debut at the end of March.
