Jeffery Simmons, a defensive tackle from Mississippi State thought to be a top-15 prospect for the 2019 NFL Draft, reportedly tore an ACL during training.
According to a report, one of the top defensive line prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft suffered a setback in pre-combine workouts. Jeffery Simmons of Mississippi State, projected as a top-15 pick in April, reportedly injured his knee.
Adam Schefter of ESPN had the first report Tuesday morning.
From @mortreport and me: Mississippi St. DT Jeffery Simmons, projected to be a top 15-pick in April, suffered a knee injury during training that is thought to be a torn ACL, per league sources. A statement to offer clarity on Simmons' injury is expected to be released today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 12, 2019
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive tackle spent three seasons at Mississippi State, logging 157 tackles and seven sacks for the Bulldogs before declaring for the draft.
Simmons also had 30 tackles for loss in his career.
He played in all 13 games last season for Mississippi State, which finished 8-5, including a 27-22 loss to Iowa in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Simmons finished the season with 63 tackles, 17 for loss, and two quarterback sacks. He also had seven quarterback hits and four pass deflections.
Simmons was an All-SEC first team selection each of the last two seasons.
He was not going to be at the NFL Draft Combine, which begins Feb. 26 and continues through March 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Per Nick Shook of NFL.com. Simmons was one of two players not invited to the combine because of past issues involving violence.
Simmons was arrested following an altercation with a woman in 2016. He later pleaded no contest to charges of simple assault and disturbing the peace and was fined $800 as well as being ordered to pay more than $800 in restitution.
NFL.com gave Simmons a very high pre-draft grade, projecting he could be a Pro Bowl player possessing the rare combination of power and the ability to move well.
If the injury is confirmed, it will likely knock Simmons out of that top-15 projection with teams looking for an immediate impact player.
A torn ACL would likely sideline Simmons for most, if not all, of his rookie season and would put him behind the learning curve due to missing mini-camps and being out or severely limited in training camp.