Impressive Senior Bowl RB suffers serious injury at practice
Several players are raising their 2024 NFL Draft stock this week at the Senior Bowl. But with every practice comes a risk of injury. That's exactly what happened to one of the more promising players in Mobile, Alabama.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Marshall running back Rasheen Ali suffered a ruptured biceps tendon that will require surgery. Ali has since pulled out of the event and now faces a four- to six-month recovery.
He should be ready for the 2024 season, however, it's certainly a blow to the 22-year-old who has been reportedly impressing early in Senior Bowl practices this week.
If Ali was able to finish the week strong, which concludes with the game on Saturday, Feb. 3, he may have been able to increase his draft stock even more. After suffering a somewhat serious injury, it's likely heading in the opposite direction.
Ali currently ranks as Pro Football Focus' 22nd-best running back and No. 221 overall prospect on its big board after rushing for 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023 and 1,401 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2021.
The Marshall product has been projected to be a mid- to late-round pick, but he could go undrafted if teams are worried about his injury history.
Ali sat out for most of the 2022 season due to an injury and now his biceps injury complicates things even more.
When healthy, Ali has proven to be an explosive running back. But NFL teams are unlikely to invest too much stock in him now.
The running back position already seems to be valued less every year. So, Ali's injury couldn't have come at a worse time for him. His path to the NFL is more uncertain than ever.
There is a strong argument for teams to add Ali to their rosters come April. He would be a perfect low-risk, high-reward addition that could pay off with just a little bit of patience.
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