NFL Combine 2012: Notable Players That Will Be Missing

With all of the big names participating in drills at the 2012 NFL combine, there are inevitably some that aren't.

Some are missing due to injury, and some will be skipping specific workouts to avoid hurting their draft stock.

Here are five high-profile players that won't participate in every event at the NFL combine.

Trent Richardson

Alabama running back Trent Richardson is just coming off minor knee surgery and will skip the combine drills as a precaution.

Richardson doesn't have much to lose by missing the combine, as he is by far the best running back available. He is a projected top-10 pick and is third on Mel Kiper's latest Big Board.

The only thing teams should have any concern over is his knee, which, according to a memo he sent to every NFL team, is progressing well. 

Andrew Luck

Heisman runner-up and projected No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck will be at the combine, but likely won't participate in throwing drills.

This is no choice of his, as the Indianapolis Colts would prefer that he save his talents for his pro day on March 22. Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star reported that Luck was willing and ready to throw, but the Colts asked him not to.

Luck really has nothing to gain by throwing at the combine. He's already at the top in terms of draft stock, so it would be wise for him to avoid having an uncharacteristic day by just skipping the drills altogether.

Robert Griffin III

Like Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III will be skipping the throwing portion of the combine.

In an effort to not hurt his stock by throwing to receivers he is unfamiliar with, the Heisman winner from Baylor will only participate in drills that do not require passes. NFL scouts will have to wait until his March 21 pro day to see that.

Nick Toon

Wisconsin wide receiver Nick Toon injured his foot a while back and then re-injured it in early January while training for the combine. His status for that, and every other pre-draft event, has been in question ever since.

While he is still dealing with a lot of pain, rosterwatch.com reports that Toon will run the 40-yard dash, but he will skip other drills, presumably pushing them back for his pro day.

Toon, who had second-round potential, could slide all the way to the fourth round because of the injury. The fact that it is a re-aggravation is cause for concern about his durability.

Mark Barron

Alabama safety Mark Barron had double hernia surgery in early February, and he will miss the combine because of it.

Barron will likely miss his March 7th pro day as well. It should take him about two months to recover, which means that any work he does before the draft will have to be done on his own.

Barron is the top safety available and is ranked 12th on Mel Kiper's Big Board. According to him, the surgery is nothing to be concerned about, and it will not hurt his draft stock.