INDIANAPOLIS -- Eric Decker won't be able to take part in any of the running events this weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine as he continues his recovery from a Lisfranc injury in his left foot. But the former Gophers standout wide receiver is optimistic about his recovery and his chances of being selected in the NFL draft this April.
Decker, who had surgery on his foot in November after having his season ended in an October loss at Ohio State, told reporters he will have a follow-up surgery on March 15 to get the plate and screw removed from his foot. Decker said Dr. Robert Anderson, a highly regarded foot and ankle specialist based in Charlotte, N.C., told him that by June he will have no restrictions for working out and by training camp he will be 100 percent.
Anderson performed the initial surgery on Decker's foot after he tore the ligament that held his big toe and the one next to it together. Decker also tore a tendon that runs outside the big toe.
"It's hard to understand it and digest it because what happened was I just made a cut and didn't get hit," Decker said of the injury. "I didn't fall in a weird position. And that's the end of your college career. But like I said, things happen for a reason and I'm making the best out of it."
Decker has been working out at the Athletes Performance facility in Phoenix to get ready for the combine and the draft. He plans to participate in the bench press on Saturday. He was able to get rid of the boot he had to wear to protect his foot three weeks ago and that has enabled him to do more work.
Decker said so far he has met with position coaches for about six teams but the Vikings have not been one of them. That might change, however, as Decker goes through more meetings Friday tonight.
Asked what message he has gotten from teams, Decker said: "The consistent message has been that the injury is just kind of a non-issue. [Teams] felt like I had consistent career at Minnesota, good production, no character issues and they all wish me the best of luck."
