NFL Draft 2026: LB medical report - Kyle Louis, Jake Golday, Deontae Lawson
Will the Lions add a young player to the linebacker group?
Today, I am highlighting three linebackers who are reported to have met with the Lions at the combine. They are all projected in the early-to-mid rounds.
With Alex Anzalone leaving for Tampa Bay as a free agent and Malcolm Rodriguez re-signed to just a 1-year deal, the Lions may be in search of a young, long-term supplement to Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes.
These three LB prospects have some medical concerns, so let’s break it down.
For the full NFL 2026 draft prospect medical analysis page, click here.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 5 (might be worth the risk if the reward is high) to 10 (take him off your board, Brad).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Quick summary of medical concern levels
Kyle Louis, LB/S (22): arm surgery?, MCL, concussion - 3/10
Jake Golday, LB (23): late unspecified injury, quad, core muscle? - 4/10
Deontae Lawson, LB (23): ACL, quad, ankle - 3/10
Kyle Louis, LB/S (22) - Pittsburgh
Projected round 1-2. #4 rated safety by Mel Kiper. Met with Lions at combine.
Concern level 3/10
2025: 11/13 games. Missed 1 game with possible concussion. Opted out of bowl game.
2024: 13/13 games
2023: 9/12 games
2022: 4 games
High School: Possible arm surgery and MCL injury.
Louis is an undersized LB who may project as a safety in the NFL. His hybrid nature might be just what the Lions are looking for, especially given the uncertain health of their safety position (Kerby Joseph & Brian Branch).
He had some significant injuries in high school that will need investigation, but has proven himself in his last three years in college.
An MCL isn’t a problem if it’s mild-moderate and non-surgical. If he needed MCL surgery, then that would raise concerns of collateral damage to his meniscus cartilage which can pose long-term effects.
Reports of an arm surgery will need to be clarified. The likely concussion suffered last season isn’t a major concern as it seems to be the only one in his history.
Jake Golday, LB (23) - Cincinnati
Projected round 2. #53 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 4/10
2025: 12/13 games. Opted out of team’s bowl game. Undisclosed late injury kept him out of Shrine Bowl.
2024: 12/12 games. Quad injury and hernia (sports hernia?) injury dealt with after season.
2021-2023: Played at Central Arkansas
This big, tall LB (6’4”, 239lb) is reminiscent of Jack Campbell.
A recent injury that kept him out of the Shrine Bowl will need investigation. It’s always concerning when a player hasn’t had proven game action since an injury.
His possible core muscle (aka sports hernia) surgery does carry a recurrence risk as well as a risk of same issue on the other side.
Age is also slightly older than ideal.
Deontae Lawson, LB (23) - Alabama
Projected round 3. #79 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 3/10
2025: 15/15 games
2024: 11/13 games. ACL tear on November 23, 2024.
2023: 11/14 games. Missed 2 games with quad. Missed 1 game with ankle sprain.
2022: 11/13 games
2021: 4 games
Credit to Lawson for returning to action on August 30, 2025 - just nine months from his ACL tear. He played the entire season which is very reassuring for his long-term ACL prognosis. Generally, there are minimal to no residuals for an isolated ACL tear.
There still remains a chance of cartilage damage with the original injury, so that will need to be ruled out.
In 2023, he had a couple minor injuries which don’t seem concerning. His age is slightly older than ideal, having played five years in college.
If you would like the Lions to address the safety position in the mid-rounds…