Nicholas Singleton injury update: Penn State RB to miss NFL Combine after Senior Bowl fracture

Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton has suffered a significant setback ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The former Nittany Lions star broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during practice for the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. He will now miss workouts on the field at the NFL Scouting Combine.The injury happens at a very important time in the pre-draft calendar, when the Senior Bowl and Combine are two of the most important events for prospects hoping to raise their stock.Singleton reportedly sustained the injury during a practice session ahead of the Senior Bowl. His father confirmed that the fracture involves the fifth metatarsal in his right foot, an injury commonly associated with what sports medicine refers to as a Jones fracture.Surgery is scheduled in Alabama, and the recovery timeline is expected to rule him out of athletic testing at the NFL Combine. While Singleton still plans to attend the event, he will be limited to interviews, medical evaluations and team meetings.The setback denies him the opportunity to showcase his speed, burst and agility in front of NFL scouts during one of the most heavily scrutinised weeks of the draft cycle.Before the injury, Singleton was widely regarded as one of the top running back prospects in the 2026 class. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him among the top backs available, and many projected him as a potential Day 2 selection.Singleton ran for 3,461 yards and scored 54 touchdowns in four seasons at Penn State, including 45 on the ground. He also added 987 receiving yards, demonstrating his versatility as a three-down back.Although his final collegiate season saw career lows in carries and rushing yards — finishing with 549 yards — he posted a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns. That red-zone efficiency continued to highlight his scoring instincts even in a year where overall production dipped.Teams will have to rely more on game film, medical reports, and private workouts to judge his readiness without new testing statistics from the Combine.Singleton might take part in Penn State's pro day or set up a private workout for teams that are interested before the draft if his rehab goes as planned.For now, the focus shifts from performance metrics to medical clearance. While missing the Combine drills is undoubtedly frustrating, Singleton’s collegiate résumé and athletic profile still provide a strong foundation for NFL teams considering him in April’s draft.