University of South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore may not be able to take part in drills this week at the NFL combine, but that isn’t stopping him from trying to impress his future employers.
Lattimore is just four months removed from a gruesome knee injury suffered in a game against Tennessee in October. Lattimore dislocated his right knee and tore several ligaments when a Tennessee defender hit him squarely on his planted leg. He has still not been able to begin running just yet but has said he plans to be ready for the start of the season in September.
Lattimore plans to show NFL doctors just how well he is progressing this week.
"[They] will be shocked. I can tell you that,” Lattimore said on 107.5 The Game, via Brian McConchie of WACH-TV in Columbia, S.C.
Lattimore is expected to attend the combine despite being unable to go through workouts. He’ll be able to meet with teams and go through medical exams to try and assuage any fears teams may have in drafting him. Dr. James Andrews is expected to join Lattimore in Indianapolis to be available to answer any questions teams have about Lattimore’s recovery.
Lattimore also said he plans to start running next Monday after the combine.
“It’s game on,” Lattimore said.
It’s the second straight off-season Lattimore has had to rehab from a serious knee injury. He was widely considered to be a first-round draft pick before the injury in October. If he’s able to convince doctors he’s progressing well in his recovery, it could go a long way toward restoring some of this draft stock in time for the NFL draft in April.