2026 NFL Draft star Jermod McCoy could face career-threatening surgery

Jermod McCoy is one of the top names left at the 2026 NFL Draft, but fans are wondering why the Tennessee star hasn’t been selected.

The former SEC standout is still available for NFL teams heading into the final four rounds of this year’s draft. However, glaring injury concerns are clearly affecting McCoy’s draft stock based on his top-10 potential.

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NFL reporter Charles Robinson revealed a devastating update about the former Tennessee defensive star heading into Day 3. In fact, McCoy’s injury status could even create a potential scenario where he never gets to play an NFL snap.

Jeez… heartbreaking for Jermod McCoy pic.twitter.com/s4DzKc6kUW

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) April 25, 2026

McCoy spent the past two seasons with Tennessee after debuting with the Oregon State Beavers in 2023. Meanwhile, the college football standout is clearly a talented player that warranted first-round consideration.

Unfortunately, McCoy’s injury history is a major cause for concern with NFL teams heading into the 2026 season.

“It’s not the ACL tear issue, that’s fine,” Robinson said late Friday evening. ” … I had one team tell me that if there’s a severe slip it’s because some teams are taking the position that his next surgery would knock him out for the entirety of a year.

“If this next surgery isn’t successful it will effectively end his career.”

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McCoy missed his entire 2025 college football season with an ACL injury. His biggest concern is a “bone plug” problem that stems from a bone and cartilage issue in the same knee that suffered the ACL tear.