Myles Jack Comments on Potentially Having Microfracture Surgery on Knee

Just a day before the start of the 2016 NFL draft, first-round linebacker prospect Myles Jack attempted to downplay any doubts concerning his surgically repaired right knee when speaking Wednesday with Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post:   

"

This quote to me from Myles Jack today about his knee can hardly be comforting to teams. pic.twitter.com/A6BwGYb6lu

— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) April 27, 2016"

With the possibility of another surgery looming, Jack's draft stock could take a big hit, as he could go from a top-five pick down to the middle of the first round. 

NFL Media's Mike Mayock has Jack falling to the Oakland Raiders at No. 14 in his latest mock draft, even though the linebacker is his highest-rated player at the position. 

Jack originally suffered the injury, a torn lateral meniscus, at UCLA on Sept. 22 during a practice session and underwent surgery that same day. 

His long road to recovery looked like it was almost over toward the end of March when his agent, John Thornton, tweeted this:

"

Myles Jack is fine. Needs more of these drills to get in football shape. Mirroring WRs/DBs to get finish rehab. pic.twitter.com/CZSvLT6udH

— JohnThornton (@JohnThornton) March 29, 2016"

After a medical recheck on April 15, though, teams had "differing opinions," per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Some believed his knee wasn't healing quick enough, while others thought his progress was fine.

Three days later, an NFL source told Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News that Jack's knee was "a time bomb," as bone and cartilage had started to break away.

If a number of teams have that feeling, then Jack's first-round hopes could be in serious doubt.

When healthy, Jack is an athletic linebacker who could take over a game on defense, someone who doesn't come around too often. But these latest developments might scare teams near the top of the draft board away from him. 

If he does go early in the first round, then this is a high-risk, high-reward pick. It would be a waste if Jack is unable to stay on the field, but if he overcomes these issues and develops into an All-Pro, then teams that passed on him could be kicking themselves down the road.