Report: Former Ohio State S Malik Hooker will miss combine after surgeries

Malik Hooker did some impressive things down the stretch.

He returned an interception for a touchdown against Michigan, which helped Ohio State rally and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. One of OSU’s lone bright spots of the Fiesta Bowl was Hooker’s impressive interception of Deshaun Watson.

But according to Bleacher Report NFL draft scout Matt Miller, Hooker was playing hurt.

Miller reported that Hooker had a torn labrum and a hernia during the 2016 season, and after having surgery on them, he’ll miss the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis:

Malik Hooker had surgery Tuesday on a torn labrum and a hernia that he played through late this season. He will miss the Combine.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 1, 2017

The injuries will reportedly sideline Hooker for 4-6 weeks.

That’s a tough blow for Hooker, who left OSU early looking like a sure-fire first-round pick. The Buckeye defensive back earned All-America honors after leading one of the top pass defenses in the country.

It remains to be seen what this will mean for Hooker’s draft stock. Some pegged him as high as the No. 2 prospect in the entire draft.

The combine will kick off Feb. 28 in Indianapolis.