Toward the end of last week, UCLA linebacker Myles Jack traveled to Indianapolis to undergo further medical evaluations on his right knee. In terms of his ability to play football, Jack is a top-10 prospect, but after missing most of his final college season with a torn anterior meniscus, his NFL career trajectory remains in doubt.
After those evaluations, CBS Sports' draft analyst Dane Brugler reported that "some around the league are worried about the long-term health of Jack's knee." Then, on Monday, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reported that an NFL source views Jack and his knee as a "time bomb."
NFL source calls Myles Jack "a time bomb" whose knee could give him several good years, or not. Bone and cartilage starting to break away.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) April 18, 2016
The source compared Myles Jack's knee situation Jonathan Vilma. Vilma made the Pro Bowl twice, won Super Bowl, but only had 6-7 healthy yrs.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) April 18, 2016
Jack's agent, John Thornton, apparently saw those tweets. Because a few hours later, Thornton used Twitter to take a shot at those anonymous medical reports that could end up hurting his client's draft stock. In the process, Thornton also ripped the NFL for its handling of concussion data.
I wish these doctors/trainers would have shared concussion info like they are sharing "alleged" Myles Jack knee info #TheShield
— JohnThornton (@JohnThornton) April 18, 2016
Then, perhaps as a form of proof, Thornton posted footage from Jack's Saturday night workout with the Jaguars. Based on the video, Jack doesn't lack any explosion, even after the injury.
Video of @MylesJack this morning in AZ after an intense workout with the Jags Saturday night in LA. Easy pic.twitter.com/zhRcptdu2J
— JohnThornton (@JohnThornton) April 18, 2016
Thornton didn't stop there. When an account called On the Clock Draft retweeted that video along with the following words: "Myles Jack looks fine right now, worry for some teams is how long his knee will hold up in the NFL," Thornton replied by taking a shot at the validity of those medical reports.
In short, Thornton argued that if a team's doctor doesn't know if Jack has the ability to play for 10 games or 10 years, then that team might want to hire a new doctor. The second part of the tweet most likely refers to the anonymous nature of the report.
If docs can't tell you if he will play 10 gms or 10yrs, time 2 get new docs. Just man(or woman) up and pass on him. https://t.co/ZF08dx77f5
— JohnThornton (@JohnThornton) April 18, 2016
For what it's worth, all five of our mock drafters envision a team selecting Jack within the first 10 picks of the draft. Two of them see Jack going to the Jaguars.