Eddie Lacy is widely seen as the top running back prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft class, but teams will have to wait to see him strut his stuff.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday that the ex-Alabama back will not work out at this week's NFL Scouting Combine after suffering a small tear in the tissue around his hamstring. Lacy was injured last week, but he hopes to be ready to perform the full scope of drills at Alabama Pro Day on March 13.
It's a disappointment because Lacy was one of the few intriguing backs set to perform in Indianapolis at the combine.
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock listed Lacy and Wisconsin's Montee Ball first and second in his pre-combine running back rankings, followed by Clemson's Andre Ellington, North Carolina's Giovani Bernard and Marcus Lattimore out of South Carolina. Mayock said during a Monday conference call that Lattimore, coming off a major knee injury, is "way ahead of schedule" and could roll into the draft with a third-round grade.
As for Lacy, the setback will place more emphasis on his pro day, but it shouldn't impact his draft status. The 6-foot, 220-pound piledriver -- who blasted his way for 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns last season -- might be the only back to go in the first round because scouts know what they're getting from Alabama players, and because Lacy is seen as the best of the bunch.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
