NFL Draft 2026: LB Medical Report - Jacob Rodriguez, Josiah Trotter, Harold Perkins
These 3 LB's carry some significant knee and foot histories
The Lions linebacker position is pretty solid at the top with Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes. However, the loss of Alex Anzalone to free agency and the short 1-year deal with Malcolm Rodriguez means that the team could look to add a player for the long-term.
Here are three LB options that are projected as early-mid round prospects. They all carry significant injury histories however.
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
Jacob Rodriguez, LB (24): Lisfranc, age - 4/10
Josiah Trotter, LB (21): ACL, MCL, recent knee - 6/10
Harold Perkins Jr, LB (22): ACL - 3/10
Jacob Rodriguez, LB (24) - Texas Tech
Projected round 2. #45 on Daniel Jeremiah board March 5.
Concern level 4/10
2025: 14/14 games. Minor calf contusion.
2024: 13/13 games
2023: 5/13 games. Season-ending Lisfranc and bone bruise.
2022: 12/13 games
2021: 12/12 games
A Lisfranc injury of the foot is at high risk of residuals (see Ameer Abdullah, Kevin Jones), but Rodriguez has two years of perfect availability after that. Mileage and age are concerns here. With Jack Campbell at 26 and Derrick Barnes at 27 at the start of the season, the Lions aren’t dropping the average age at that position much if they go with Rodriguez.
Josiah Trotter, LB (21) - Missouri
Projected round 2. #39 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 6/10
2025: 12/13 games. “Minor” knee injury in regular season finale with surgery.
2024: 12/13 games. Opted out of bowl due to transfer.
2023: Missed season with ACL.
HS: MCL
Trotter has an accumulation of significant knee injuries in his past. Most recently, he had a “minor” knee injury that needed surgery. A simple meniscus tear might fit that description. He did not run at the combine which is a concern.
Previously, he had separate ACL and MCL injuries. While those two ligaments generally heal very well, medical will need to evaluate the status of his knee cartilage, which does not heal well.
His very young age is a nice benefit if his cartilage checks out.
Harold Perkins Jr, LB (22) - LSU
Projected round 3-5.
Concern level 3/10
2025: 12/13 games. Opted out of bowl.
2024: 4/13 games. ACL tear.
2023: 13/13 games
2022: 14/14 games
Perkins has an ACL in his history, but is otherwise clean. Players can return to 100% of previous after an ACL, and Perkins has a full season of proof of recovery. The only thing to check on is if there was any cartilage damage in association with the ACL, as that could present an issue down-the-road. His age is good.
Perkins is a LB who may be used as a pass rusher in the NFL. The Lions could use a player like that.
For more LB options in the 2026 draft…