Kyle Rudolph To Not Participate At Combine

Draft Insider’s Tony Pauline is reporting that Notre Dame Tight End, Kyle Rudolph will not participate in the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. Rudolph suffered a severe hamstring injury during Notre Dame’s week 6 matchup against Pittsburgh.  He initially tried to play on it, but it eventually tore from the bone, and it officially ended his season.

The 6’6” Junior is regarded as the number one tight end prospect in the nation. He has all the makings of a difference maker at the next level. Scouts and coaches were looking forward to testing Rudolph at the Combine, but it looks like they’ll have to wait until Notre Dame’s pro-day. That date has yet to be scheduled.

This news obviously hurts Rudolph’s draft stock a little, but I’m sure his doctors and agent persuaded him that this was the best route to go. Good thing for him, this years tight end class is particularly weak. The extra time between the Combine and his pro-day, should give him sufficient time to regain his health, in order to show teams what he’s made of.