During the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday, there will be a lot of talk about the players left on the board and why they are still waiting to be selected.One of those players is Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, who missed all of the 2025 season with a torn ACL.During his career with Tennessee, McCoy had six interceptions and was considered a top draft pick before his injury. Concerns with his knee understandably has teams cautious about his future in the NFL.McCoy still has the physical skills to be a productive player, running a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash at Tennessee’s pro day.There are still reports out there concerning McCoy's surgically-repaired knee, and there might be a new issue on the horizon as the NFL Network says teams are now concerned about a bone plug that is used to repair cartilage.
What is a bone plug?A bone plug is used in ACL reconstruction that transplants bone and cartilage, and is used to repair cartilage or meniscus tears. The technique is also used in knee replacements.According to New York University Langone, doctors, "obtain a plug of bone and healthy cartilage from a nonessential, non–weight-bearing area of the knee with a similar coring tool. The surgeon then inserts the bone and cartilage plug into the defect area, creating a smooth joint surface."The patient can usually return to activity fully in four to six months. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jermod McCoy NFL Draft injury: Tennessee CB has bone plug issue