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2020 NFL Draft: Henry Ruggs III injures quad on 40-yard dash

By Jacob Harrison

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver Henry Ruggs III of Alabama runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver Henry Ruggs III of Alabama runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The fastest man from the first night of the combine, Henry Ruggs III limped off after his 40 yard dash as he tries to seal his fate in the 2020 NFL Draft

Henry Ruggs III is considered a top-three wide receiver prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft, and made a valiant effort to break John Ross’s 40-yard dash record Thursday night at the NFL Combine. After posting unofficial times of 4.28 and 4.31, Ruggs ended his night with a large bag of ice strapped to his right quad.

Despite coming within a tenth of a second of breaking John Ross’s 4.22 benchmark in the NFL Combine’s 40-yard dash, Alabama’s Henry Ruggs turned in an excellent performance. Sadly for the projected top-15 pick, his night ended early with an apparent right quad injury.

The extent of the injury is still uncertain. Ruggs was shown on camera standing up without his cheetah spotted Adidas cleats on with a large ice bag taped to the front of his right quad.

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NFL Network reported Ruggs will be at Alabama Pro Day saying “I’ve still got routes to run.” Added to the report was Ruggs thoughts on his determination of breaking the record on his second heat, saying he was “thinking too much” during the run.

Breaking the record was the number one goal for the Crimson Tide product, as he proclaimed Tuesday during media availability. Still, his official 4.27 time is good for the fourth-best since 2006. He also turned in a 42″ vertical and 131″ broad jump.

Ruggs came into the NFL Combine aiming to prove he is an all-purpose wide receiver that can perform any task asked of him in the NFL.

“I feel like I bring everything. I’m a playmaker. I don’t pride myself on just speed, I want to be a guy who does everything on the field. I’ll get downfield, try to block for my teammates because I expect them to do the same for me,” Ruggs said.

“I want to showcase my catching ability. My route running has picked up over the years. Show that I’m a complete receiver and I can do everything that you need me to do.”

While Ruggs’s speed is his greatest asset, he did find methods to get open and eventually run away from defenders for touchdowns. Of his 98 collegiate receptions, 24 resulted in touchdowns. Without a doubt, he is, as he says, a playmaker.

When Ross set the record three years ago, the Washington prospect thrust his name into the top-10 conversation. He ultimately went at pick nine to the Bengals as the third receiver selected behind Corey Davis and Mike Williams.

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While coming within nanoseconds of the record certainly warrants top-10 consideration, it may require jumping Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and his former Crimson Tide teammate Jerry Jeudy. Still, the Cardinals, Eagles, Jets and Raiders sit in the top 12 and could use his talents. The possibility of a team falls in love with his speed and jumps into the top-10 to select Ruggs remains as well.

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