CB DeJean broke leg at Iowa, prepares draft workout

• Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterFeb 29, 2024, 12:20 PM ET Close Jeff Legwold is a senior writer who covers the Denver Broncos and the NFL at ESPN. Jeff has actually covered the Broncos for more than 20 years, signing up with ESPN in 2013. He also assists with NFL draft coverage, including his yearly leading 100 prospects. Jeff has actually belonged to the Pro Football Hall of Popularity Board of Selectors because 1999. He has actually attended every hunting integrate since 1987.

INDIANAPOLIS– Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean said he has recently started to run at full speed, acknowledging he is still recovering from the broken leg that ended his last season with the Hawkeyes early.DeJean said Thursday at the NFL searching combine that he suffered a fractured fibula throughout a mid-November practice and went through surgery. DeJean missed the Hawkeyes’ last four games of the season, including the Big 10 championship game.Editor’s Picks

Discussing the injury openly for the very first time and calling it “kind of a freak thing,” DeJean said he still plans to have an on-campus workout for NFL critics before the April draft.

“I’ve been rehabbing ever since,” DeJean stated of the injury.” [I] just started running complete speed last week. I intend on working out at some time before the draft. … I am [clinically] cleared. I’m simply advancing right now.”

DeJean, who is the No. 15 player on Mel Kiper Jr.’s most current Big Board, said he will not work out at the combine or at Iowa’s pro day, which is set up for March 18.

“I’ll work out a long time before the draft … at some point definitely before the draft– early April,” DeJean stated. “I just began running full speed last week, so I have not been able to train like I wish to.”

The Odebolt, Iowa, native said the teams he has actually consulted with have actually said they see him as an option at cornerback, in the slot and even for some snaps at safety. He had 7 profession interceptions and returned 3 of those for touchdowns.DeJean also returned 31 punts in his 3 seasons at Iowa, averaging 13.1 yards per return with one goal.” Being able to play several various positions, I think that’s an advantage entering into this league, to be able to play anywhere they put me, “DeJean said.”It doesn’t matter to me, to be honest. I just wish to play ball. “