Marcus Lattimore won’t be competing on the field at the NFL scouting combine this week, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to impress.
Lattimore, who suffered one of the more gruesome knee injuries in recent memory earlier this season, will be in Indianapolis, Ind., for the combine over the next few days as he prepares for the NFL draft.
The South Carolina running back was projected to be a firm first-round pick before injuring his knee for a second straight season. Now, Lattimore’s draft stock is very much up in the air, but he remains determined to prove he is worth the risk.
He discussed his rehab during a radio interview on 107.5 The Game in Columbia, S.C., on Monday, even saying the examining doctors will be more than impressed by his recovery.
“[They] will be shocked. I can tell you that,” Lattimore said of his progress.
Dr. James Andrews, who performed the procedure on Lattimore’s leg, will also be on hand at the combine to answer any questions about the tailback’s recovery.
Lattimore still hasn’t begun running just yet, but he did confirm his intention to start back up on Monday after the combine, saying “It’s game on.”
He maintains his plans to be ready for Week 1 of the 2013 NFL season, but that projection would seem bold even for Adrian Peterson. At least his trip to the combine will give us a better gauge on his progress and expected timetable, if not impact his draft stock.
Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.
