The NFL Draft is mere days away, which means that medical questions will become prominent storylines. One situation particularly involves former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
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According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Nussmeier underwent some tests at the NFL Scouting Combine. These revealed that he had a cyst on his spine.
As it turns out, this cyst caused persistent oblique pain throughout the 2025 season as Nussmeier threw for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions in nine games. He missed multiple games while dealing with an abdominal injury.
Pelissero noted that Nussmeier has been asymptomatic since before the Senior Bowl in January. This has remained the case throughout the months leading up to the NFL Draft. The insider said that doctors don't view this as a short- or long-term risk for the former LSU quarterback.
However, a situation could arise where he needs to undergo surgery to remove the cyst. If so, this would take him out of the lineup for only two or three weeks.
An expected mid-round pick, Nussmeier appeared in 60 games for the LSU Tigers between 2021-2025. He threw for 7,699 7ards, 52 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. He led the SEC in both completions (337) and attempts (525) during the 2024 season.
According to longtime Draft analyst Lance Zierlein, Nussmeier has the traits and talent to be an above-average backup in the NFL. The score of 6.0 puts him just behind Miami's Carson Beck (6.14) and just ahead of Penn State's Drew Allar (5.98).
"Nussmeier is inconsistent diagnosing coverages and working through progressions, which limits his ability to counter what defenses show him," Zierlein wrote in his pre-Draft profile. "He plays with a gunslinger's mindset and doesn't consistently prioritize ball security. He has a compact release and can spin impressive throws from off-platform angles when needed.
"He will make a throw that makes you a believer in one series, but he often follows that up with a turnover that reignites the doubt. He has adequate mobility in the pocket and limits his sack count. Teams will need to balance Nussmeier's mistakes and durability concerns against his potential to improve on his LSU output."
