Report: University of Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy Could Require Another Surgery Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy faces renewed medical scrutiny ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft after reports emerged that he may need a second surgery on his previously injured right knee. McCoy missed the entire 2025 college football season due to a torn ACL, and even as the ligament reconstruction appears stable, team medical staffs are now focused on a bone plug used to repair a cartilage defect in the same knee. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, league physicians are concerned the bone plug could require additional surgical intervention, potentially causing McCoy to miss extensive time as a rookie in 2026. The issue is not related to the ACL graft itself but rather to the method used to address the cartilage damage during his initial procedure. Despite the medical red flags, McCoy remains a highly regarded prospect. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at Tennessee’s Pro Day last month, accompanied by a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-7-inch broad jump. His athletic profile continues to generate interest, with multiple mock drafts projecting him as a first-round selection. Projections vary based on perceived recovery, with some outlets placing him as high as 10th overall (to the Cincinnati Bengals per USA TODAY and NFL.com) and others as low as 24th (to the Cleveland Browns per ESPN). The situation echoes concerns that affected other top defensive backs in recent drafts, such as Will Johnson, who fell from first-round consideration to the second round (47th overall to the Arizona Cardinals) due to similar knee worries. As the draft approaches, McCoy’s availability and long-term durability will be central topics in team evaluations. His draft stock hinges on how medical boards interpret the risk associated with the bone plug and whether they believe the issue can be resolved without significant downtime. For now, McCoy awaits his fate in Pittsburgh, where the 2026 NFL Draft will begin on April 23 with the first round airing at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network.
52