NFL Draft 2026: TE medical report - Sam Roush, John Michael Gyllenborg, Max Bredeson
Roush is one of the cleanest prospects while the other two carry concerns
Grabbing a mid-to-late round TE would be wise to back up and supplement the uncertain injury status of Sam LaPorta, who is recovering from herniated disc surgery.
Here is a 3-pack of TE’s who should be available in the mid-late rounds. One of them is extremely clean, while the other two have moderate concerns.
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
Sam Roush, TE (23): clean, perfect reliability - 0/10
John Michael Gyllenborg, TE (23?): hamstring, high ankle, knee, LCL - 4/10
Max Bredeson, TE/HB (23): foot or ankle to end final season - 4/10
Sam Roush, TE (23) - Stanford
Projected round 3-6.
Concern level 0/10
2025: 12/12 games
2024: 12/12 games
2023: 12/12 games
2022: 12/12 games
Roush has been incredibly consistent and reliable in college by playing in every game in his four years. There are also no reported injuries which makes him one of the cleanest prospects in the draft. The only knock is his age is just slightly older than ideal. If the Lions want a very reliable TE, Roush might be the pick.
John Michael Gyllenborg, TE (23?) - Wyoming
Projected round 4. Mocked to Lions in 4th round by Jeff Risdon.
Concern level 4/10
2025: 9/12 games. Hamstring, missed 3 games.
2024: 9/12 games. High ankle sprain and knee sprain, missed 3 games.
2023: 13/13 games
2022: 12/13 games
Gyllenborg has missed three games in each of his final two seasons, however the nature of the injuries is not too concerning for residuals. He also had a knee LCL sprain in high school but bounced back well from that. Medical will need to check out the knee to rule out any associated cartilage damage.
Max Bredeson, TE/HB (23) - Michigan
Projected round 5-7.
Concern level 4/10
2025: 11/13 games. Season ending right lower leg injury in Game 11, seen in walking boot and crutches.
2024: 13/13 games
2023: 15/15 games
2022: 14/14 games
2021: 1
Bredeson showed excellent reliability in college until the end of his final season. A right ankle or foot injury is suspected, and the specific diagnosis will need to be obtained by medical. Hopefully, it’s just a painful ankle sprain which would have minimal to no residuals. If it’s a foot injury, that has the potential to be much more concerning.
For more mid-late round TE prospects…