The NFL Scouting Combine is like the league’s version of America’s Got Talent, where college football’s finest showcase their skills, hoping to impress the judges—er, scouts—and land a coveted spot on an NFL roster. BUT! Besides the 40-yard dashes and vertical leaps, don’t forget the critical component that can literally make or break a prospect’s draft stock: the medical evaluation.

Picture this: a player has been training for years, only to have an old injury resurface at the worst possible moment. It stings, doesn’t it? Well, ask Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, who had a shoulder injury last month. However, his doctor, Neal Elattrache, recently sent a letter to all 32 teams regarding the TE’s participation in the minicamp.

ESPN Senior NFL writer Adam Schefter recently hit up his official ‘X’ handle and broke the news. He stated, “In a letter sent today to all 32 teams, Dr. Neal Elattrache wrote that he expects Michigan TE and projected first-round pick Colston Loveland to be ready to participate in minicamp and fully cleared for training camp despite undergoing surgery on his right shoulder last month.”

The 20-year-old tight end sustained a Type V AC Joint dislocation last September. However, Loveland still managed to play with the injury in his final season with the Michigan Wolverines. The TE racked up 56 receptions for 582 yards and 5 touchdowns. On top of that, he finished his collegiate career for the Wolverines with a 35–6 team record, two Big Ten championships, one national championship, All-American honors, and All-Big Ten honors twice.

One of the reasons, or should we say, many of the reasons, why Loveland is the top draft prospect in this class. Though his recovery appears to be on track, he’s probably gonna miss out on taking part in combine drills and, most notably, Michigan’s pro day. Still, the teams are probably gonna be confident about the young TE, considering the guy will be ready to contribute effectively as a rookie.

Quinn Ewers is still making noise with his injuries

If resilience had a draft board, Quinn Ewers would be the first overall pick. The reason? Well, the Texas Longhorns’ quarterback just played an entire season with a torn oblique, as if it were just a minor glitch. Sound unreal, but here we are. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine that Ewers played the entire season with a torn oblique.

The guy suffered the injury in the week 2 game against the Michigan Wolverines. Despite the injury, the QB started the following game but was sidelined after apparently hurting his oblique. Fast forward to now, and Pelissero announced that Ewers is now healthy and is expected to throw at the NFL combine.

On top of that, Pelissero also revealed that Ewers is working in Texas with the former Cowboys’ head coach, Mike McCarthy. According to Pelissero, “McCarthy says he’s just been really impressed with Quinn Ewers as a young man and the attentiveness that he has. They’ve been talking football for hours. McCarthy says I’m like a kid in an ice cream shop, just talking ball with Quinn Ewers.”

Speaking of his last season for the Longhorns, the QB completed 293 of 445 passes (65.8%) for 3,472 yards with 31 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. It’s probably one of the reasons how Quinn Ewers impressed McCarthy. Now that the NFL draft is approaching, the QB is surely looking for a first-round or second-round pick.

Sure, his injuries may be a critical component, but considering his potential, the guy’s probably gonna get an early pick.