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What is a bone plug? Jermod McCoy knee injury clouds NFL draft
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- What is a bone plug? Jermod McCoy knee injury clouds NFL draft
Editor's note: Jermod McCoy was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth round of the NFL draft on Saturday, April 25.
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.
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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.
33. San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi
The 2026 NFL Draft
continues Friday, April 24, as teams move into Rounds 2 and 3.
See how the next wave of prospects comes off the board as draft weekend rolls on.
34. Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
35. Buffalo Bills: T.J. Parker, DE/LB, Clemson
36. Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
37. New York Giants: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
38. Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona
39. Cleveland Browns: WR Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
40. Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
41. Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
42. New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
43. Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
44. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore, DE, Michigan
45. Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
47. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
48. Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
49. Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
50. New York Jets (from Lions): D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
51. Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
52. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
53. Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): LB CJ Allen, Georgia
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
55. New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas, DE/OLB, Illinois
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M
57. Chicago Bears: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
58. Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
59. Houston Texans: Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan
60. Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
61. Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
62. Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
63. Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, G/C, Florida
64. Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark, S, TCU
65. Arizona Cardinals: Carson Beck, QB, Miami (Fla.)
66. Denver Broncos (from Titans via Bills): Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M
67. Las Vegas Raiders: Keyron Crawford, DE/OLB, Auburn
68. Philadelphia Eagles (from Jets): Markel Bell, OT, Miami (Fla.)
69. Chicago Bears (from Texans via Giants and Bears): Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
70. San Francisco 49ers (from Browns): Romello Height, DE/OLB, Texas Tech
71. Washington Commanders: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
72. Cincinnati Bengals: Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
73. New Orleans Saints: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
74. New York Giants (from Chiefs and Browns): Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
75. Miami Dolphins: Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
76. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Cowboys): Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
77. Green Bay Packers (from Buccaneers): Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
78. Indianapolis Colts: AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
79. Atlanta Falcons: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
80. Baltimore Ravens: Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC
81. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Lions): Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
82. Minnesota Vikings: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
83. Carolina Panthers: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Packers): Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
85. Pittsburgh Steelers: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
86. Cleveland Browns (from Chargers): Austin Barber, OT, Florida
87. Miami Dolphins (from Eagles): Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State
88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
89. Chicago Bears: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU
90. San Francisco 49ers (from Dolphins via Texans): Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
91. Las Vegas Raiders (from Bills via Texans): Trey Zuhn III, G, Texas A&M
92. Dallas Cowboys (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham, OLB, Michigan
93. Los Angeles Rams: Keagen Trost, OT/G, Missouri
94. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
95. New England Patriots: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
96. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Seahawks): Gennings Dunker, OT/G, Iowa
97. Minnesota Vikings (Compensatory Selection): Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
98. Minnesota Vikings (from Eagles; Compensatory Selection): Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (Fla.)
99. Seattle Seahawks (from Steelers; Compensatory Selection): Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
100. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Lions; Special Compensatory Selection): Jalen Huskey, CB/S, Maryland
1
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
33. San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi
The 2026 NFL Draft
continues Friday, April 24, as teams move into Rounds 2 and 3.
See how the next wave of prospects comes off the board as draft weekend rolls on.
1
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
33. San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi
The 2026 NFL Draft
continues Friday, April 24, as teams move into Rounds 2 and 3.
See how the next wave of prospects comes off the board as draft weekend rolls on.
2
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
34. Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
3
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
35. Buffalo Bills: T.J. Parker, DE/LB, Clemson
4
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
36. Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
5
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
37. New York Giants: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
6
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
38. Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona
7
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
39. Cleveland Browns: WR Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
8
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
40. Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
9
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
41. Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
10
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
42. New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
11
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
43. Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
12
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
44. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore, DE, Michigan
13
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
45. Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri
14
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
15
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
47. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
16
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
48. Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
17
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
49. Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
18
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
50. New York Jets (from Lions): D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
19
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
51. Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
20
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
52. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
21
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
53. Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): LB CJ Allen, Georgia
22
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
23
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
55. New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas, DE/OLB, Illinois
24
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M
25
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
57. Chicago Bears: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
26
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
58. Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
27
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
59. Houston Texans: Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan
28
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
60. Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
29
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
61. Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
30
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
62. Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
31
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
63. Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, G/C, Florida
32
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
64. Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark, S, TCU
33
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
65. Arizona Cardinals: Carson Beck, QB, Miami (Fla.)
34
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
66. Denver Broncos (from Titans via Bills): Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M
35
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
67. Las Vegas Raiders: Keyron Crawford, DE/OLB, Auburn
36
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
68. Philadelphia Eagles (from Jets): Markel Bell, OT, Miami (Fla.)
37
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
69. Chicago Bears (from Texans via Giants and Bears): Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
38
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
70. San Francisco 49ers (from Browns): Romello Height, DE/OLB, Texas Tech
39
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
71. Washington Commanders: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
40
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
72. Cincinnati Bengals: Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
41
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
73. New Orleans Saints: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
42
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
74. New York Giants (from Chiefs and Browns): Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
43
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
75. Miami Dolphins: Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
44
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
76. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Cowboys): Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
45
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
77. Green Bay Packers (from Buccaneers): Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
46
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
78. Indianapolis Colts: AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
47
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
79. Atlanta Falcons: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
48
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
80. Baltimore Ravens: Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC
49
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
81. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Lions): Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
50
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
82. Minnesota Vikings: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
51
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
83. Carolina Panthers: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
52
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Packers): Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
53
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
85. Pittsburgh Steelers: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
54
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
86. Cleveland Browns (from Chargers): Austin Barber, OT, Florida
55
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
87. Miami Dolphins (from Eagles): Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State
56
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
57
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
89. Chicago Bears: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU
58
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
90. San Francisco 49ers (from Dolphins via Texans): Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
59
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
91. Las Vegas Raiders (from Bills via Texans): Trey Zuhn III, G, Texas A&M
60
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
92. Dallas Cowboys (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham, OLB, Michigan
61
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
93. Los Angeles Rams: Keagen Trost, OT/G, Missouri
62
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
94. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
63
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
95. New England Patriots: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
64
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
96. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Seahawks): Gennings Dunker, OT/G, Iowa
65
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
97. Minnesota Vikings (Compensatory Selection): Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
66
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
98. Minnesota Vikings (from Eagles; Compensatory Selection): Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (Fla.)
67
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
99. Seattle Seahawks (from Steelers; Compensatory Selection): Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
68
/68
Every pick from Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
100. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Lions; Special Compensatory Selection): Jalen Huskey, CB/S, Maryland
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.
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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: Bone plug explained: Jermod McCoy injury details as CB falls in NFL draft
