NFL Draft 2026: TE medical report - Marlin Klein, Max Klare, Michael Trigg
The Lions may want to pick a mid-round TE for insurance
Michigan and Ohio State are battling it out today at the TE position. The Wolverine has a lower medical concern level but the Buckeye is projected as the better player.
With both Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright going down with season-ending injuries last year, the Lions may be wise to pick up some healthy TE insurance.
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
Marlin Klein, TE (23): mild ankle - 2/10
Max Klare, TE (23): ankle surgery - 4/10
Michael Trigg, TE (24): knee, multiple minor injuries - 5/10
Marlin Klein, TE (23) - Michigan
Projected round 5-7. Formal meeting with Lions at combine.
Concern level 2/10
2025: 11/13 games. Right ankle injury and missed Game 2. Missed Game 7 with unknown injury.
2024: 13/13 games
2023: 10/15 games
2022: 2 games
Klein was hampered a bit during his final season but there isn’t evidence of anything overly concerning.
His production in college was limited (possibly due to Michigan’s anemic passing attack) as he finished his career with 38 receptions for 364 yards.
Max Klare, TE (23) - Ohio State
Projected round 3-5. #96 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 4/10
2025: 14/14 games
2024: 12/12 games
2022: 2 games.
High school: Collarbone fracture
Klare has a history of a significant ankle injury with surgery that will need investigation. It’s reassuring that he has played 2 full seasons since the ankle surgery. The collarbone fracture in high school is not a concern.
Despite only 2 full seasons in college, he had very good cumulative production with 116 receptions for 1329 yards.
Michael Trigg, TE (24) - Baylor
Projected round 2-3. #69 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 5/10
2025: 11/12 games. Missed final game due to undisclosed injury. Minor right shoulder injury early in season.
2024: 11/13 games. Suspended 1 game for off-field issue. Missed bowl game for unspecified injury.
2023: 3 games
2022: 7 games. Collarbone fracture ended season.
2021: 6 games. Right knee injury ended season.
There are a lot of on-and-off-the-field issues that will need to be sorted out for Trigg. He was out for his final college game which is always a concern. He also missed the final game the year prior for an injury. A fairly significant knee injury in 2021 will need specifics figured out. The collarbone fracture shouldn’t be an issue.
The accumulation of various injuries as well as older age add up to a moderate concern level. He finished college with 108 receptions for 1419 yards.
If you want the Lions to dip into top-tier TE prospects…