Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs. Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Pat McAfee disputes alarming Caleb Downs injury report

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 4:48 PM ET

Remain skeptical of a recent injury report concerning Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs until another story relays the same or similar information.

In an article that has since been deleted from his Substack, independent NFL Draft analyst Cory Kinnan reported Downs was "flagged with a potentially degenerative ACL" at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. ESPN analyst/ former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee questioned the validity of the report during his show on Tuesday.

Pat McAfee, Cory Kinnan discuss Caleb Downs report

"Multiple NFL teams have told us there is nothing in the medical that would deter us from bringing Caleb Downs in, especially with how great a football player he is," McAfee said.

McAfee then added the report feels like baloney to him. He also speculated NFL teams may be leaking information to Kinnan so 2025 first-team All-American Downs will fall to them in the draft. The 6-foot, 206-pounder has drawn comparisons to Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed, making him one of the most coveted prospects in the class.

We reached out to multiple NFL teams about Caleb Downs this morning..

They told us that there is NOTHING in the medical that would deter them from brining him in #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/4TSopny8aU
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 3, 2026

Kinnan stood by his reporting on X and blamed media outlets for running with his article and blowing it out of proportion.

"I run a Substack with a pretty decent network of scouts and agents," Kinnan wrote. "I hear stuff. I cross check it and make sure I hear it twice. I report an intel piece once a year. This is all too much."

I run a Substack with a pretty decent network of scouts and agents. I hear stuff. I cross check it and make sure I hear it twice. I report an Intel piece once a year. This is all too much.
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) March 3, 2026

Still, Kinnan should've known this information was bound to go viral, especially when it's a medical issue and concerns a prospect of Downs' stature. More importantly, media members should probe into his reporting. No other prominent draft gurus, such as Dane Brugler of The Athletic, have shared any concerning injury news about the safety.

Unless something else pops up, don't expect this to cause Downs to fall during the draft (scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh). In his updated mock draft, ESPN's Jordan Reid has the Washington Commanders selecting him with pick No. 7.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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