Notre Dame produced a pair of defensive linemen that could wind up going in the first round of May’s draft, but only one of them will be working out at the NFL Scouting Combine on Monday.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com reports that defensive end Stephon Tuitt will not be able to work out because of a fractured bone in his left foot. Tuitt has not been medically cleared after the injury was discovered during a scan at the combine and is expected to have surgery in a week. Tuitt is expected to recover in six-to-eight weeks and Jeremiah reports that he may hold his own pro day for scouts when he has recovered from the operation.
Tuitt had 19.5 sacks for the Fighting Irish over the last two seasons, making him a potential pick in the first round for a team looking for more pressure from their defensive linemen next season. Kony Ealy of Missouri and Dee Ford of Auburn are also expected to be in the mix of defensive ends taken after Jadeveon Clowney goes near the top.
Defensive tackle Louis Nix III, who played with Tuitt in South Bend, is also expected to be off the board on the opening night of the draft.