2012 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Update on Top Prospects Stricken by Injuries

Whether it happened a while ago or is recent news, injuries are always concerning when it comes to the NFL Draft.

And with the combine going on right now, it only makes the pro days even more important, that is, if the prospect is healthy enough to workout. To that end, here's a look at considered top prospects and their injuries.

Trent Richardson, Alabama

According to Jason LaCanfora of NFL Network, Alabama running back Trent Richardson won't be participating fully at the combine:

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Trent Richardson will not participate in on-field drills at this week's NFL Scouting Combine because of a minor knee injury, a league source said Wednesday.

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LaCanfora added:

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Richardson suffered a minor injury in a practice leading up to last month's BCS national championship game, the source said, and had a "minor scope" about three weeks ago to alleviate his discomfort.

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That being said, this will definitely decrease Richardson's stock a bit, but nothing more than a mid first-round pick. After all, the most minor of surgeries can get worse through time so it's smart for Richardson to take precaution.

Still, he remains the best running back in the draft and provided he has a strong pro day, Richardson will bump back up into being a top 15 prospect (at worst).

Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

According to Pat Yasinkas of ESPN, Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill is improving but not 100 percent just yet:

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The Texas A&M product, who is considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2012 NFL draft, said the foot injury that forced him to miss the Senior Bowl is healing fast. Tannehill said he will head to Indianapolis for the scouting combine next week and will go through medical testing and meeting with teams, but will not participate in any of the on-field drills.

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Yasinskas added a quote from Tannehill saying:

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“We’ll come back and push it pretty hard,’’ Tannehill said. “I’m thinking I should be getting close to 100 percent by right after the combine and we’ll really jump into the on-field stuff then to make up for the time I missed and get ready for pro day.’’

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For teams needing a quarterback that won't have a chance to draft either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, this is good news. However, Tannehill has only had limited experience under center at the college level, so combine that with his injury and it wouldn't be surprising to see him drop to Round 2.

Nonetheless, he's a guy who's mobile, has a strong arm and solid accuracy. But, the football world will know a lot more after the combine and his pro day.

Mark Barron, Alabama

According to a staff report by the Sporting News, Alabama safety Mark Barron will miss the combine:

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Scratch Alabama safety Mark Barron from the NFL Scouting Combine workouts. When the week of tests and trials begins Feb. 22 in Indianapolis, Barron will be recovering from double hernia surgery, according to media reports.

Barron is expected to need two months to recover from the surgery, which was done in January. It is doubtful he will be able to take part in testing when Alabama holds its Pro Day session on March 7.

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Considered the best safety prospect in the draft and a potential top 20 pick, this will definitely put a damper on Barron's draft status.

One of college football's more reliable secondary tacklers and consistent hard-hitters, the Crimson Tide defensive success had a lot to do with Barron's presence alone.

At 6'2", 218 pounds, Barron's size is great for a roll down safety to help with run support and blanket cover on tight ends and slot receivers. Now with this injury, he'll at best become a late first-rounder unless he gets to 100 percent sooner than later.

Jared Crick, Nebraska

Earlier this month Nebraska's Jared Crick appeared to be near ready for the NFL combine. Well, it's here and Crick is raring to go.

In an article by Ken Hambleton of the Lincoln Journal-Star, Crick had been working hard and often to prepare for pro football's combine:

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"I'm learning about fueling from the experts," said Crick, who finished his senior Husker year early because of a torn pectoral muscle.

"Everyday and long days," the defensive tackle from Cozad said. "It's intense and it's important.

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For starters, that kind of attitude is what NFL franchises want in a player. A guy who is willing to put in the time and effort to getting fully healthy after an injury. In turn, that only adds more motivation to work hard when fully healthy and it better benefits the team as a whole.

As for Crick, before the 2011 college football season began, he was considered a mid to late first-rounder and had top 15 potential with another great season. After the injury, Crick still remains a mid to late second-rounder so it's clear his natural and raw talents have been recognized.

Provided that he has a strong showing at the combine and his pro day, Crick has an outside shot to be a late first-rounder. Considering a pectoral injury can ruin a defensive lineman's career, as they need to prevent/fight off blocks to make plays, Crick's current health status is quite an accomplishment.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
2. Washington Redskins (From STL.): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)	25. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
10. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, Safety (Alabama)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Melvin Ingram, DE/LB (South Carolina)	31. New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

John Rozum on Twitter.