Heading into the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night, Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis was almost unanimously predicted to be selected in the first round, with most even projecting him to be selected among the draft’s top-10 picks. Ultimately, that didn’t happen, and one prominent NFL reporter has a report that might explain why.
According to a report from Chris Mortensen on Thursday night, multiple teams expressed concern about a toe injury that caused him to miss two games last season.
“Will Levis’ left toe that caused him to miss two games last year was ‘problematic’ for one team that considered him. Levis says the ‘toe has healed’ and good to go. Another team believes Levis could manage it but thought surgery would need discussion after season. Levis disagrees,” Mortensen said in
Will Levis’ left toe that caused him to miss two games last year was “problematic “ for one team that considered him.
Levis says the “toe has healed” and good to go.
Another team believes Levis could manage it but thought surgery would need discussion after season.
Levis…— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 28, 2023
Obviously, this would be pretty big news as it would help explain why one of the draft’s top quarterbacks slipped out of the first round. And people had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
The turf toe injury he actually admitted to on a podcast
I discussed it here in @TheFantasyDRS Rookie Injury Draftguide.
It might have been worse than we initially thought.
Definitely explains part of his slide. https://t.co/Ne7um6p3by pic.twitter.com/l821sTf1kQ
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) April 28, 2023
“Bring on the blitz.” — Rich Scangarello https://t.co/TKpixSxGJ4
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) April 28, 2023
Here comes the excuses…
Maybe, I don’t know, the GMs actually put on game film from the 2022 season and thought he couldn’t play in the league? https://t.co/mFBXlfF1Gb
— Rob Huddleston (@Rob_Huddleston) April 28, 2023
Remember when someone leaked that CJ Stroud test result but apparently this never made it into the discussion.
Huh. Weird.
Good journalism, everyone. https://t.co/baTXaXWvuJ pic.twitter.com/SKq9zCCUgi
— Jonathan Smith (@DegenerateTBone) April 28, 2023
All while none of these other quarterbacks will be any good, or even play, as rookies.
It is funny how people use such selective decision-making in “future” vs. “present” decisions.
Levis is going to make a lot of people look really bad in this draft.
Book it. https://t.co/WZPKAW5OZb
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) April 28, 2023
The 2023 NFL Draft’s biggest stub. https://t.co/8KVI7q9si8
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) April 28, 2023
We’ll have to see where Levis is ultimately selected on Friday and whether or not that toe injury becomes an issue for him as he transitions to the next level.
