Five minutes into the Nittany Lions game against the Buckeyes, Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson went down with an apparent injury. The pass rusher is one of the best in the country. What is his injury, how does it hamper the Nittany Lions defense, and what could it mean for his potential NFL Draft stock?
Chop Robinson Injury News
Robinson was playing as the end man on the line of scrimmage, setting the edge against a run play when he went down. It appeared the senior pass rusher went helmet-to-helmet with the blocker. The side of his head was contacted by the crown or facemask of the blocker. Robinson appeared disoriented when he rose from the field to head to the sideline.
Hope Chop Robinson is alright, that’s a big-time impact pic.twitter.com/QjUbOeo4fq
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 21, 2023
Robinson, donning a towel over his head, was shown on the broadcast being carted into the locker room with about eight minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Losing Robinson is big for a tough Nittany Lions defense. He is one of their best players, and losing him hinders their rotational depth on the edge while also taking a leader off the field.
Robinson’s NFL Draft Stock
Robinson does not possess the ideal length or strength profile to be a 4-3 defensive end in a traditional sense, but the NFL game has continued to get smaller and faster, which is where Robinson fits in perfectly.
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Robinson’s explosiveness is his greatest weapon, but he has continuously improved his hand usage while at Penn State. Additionally, he seems keen on reducing his surface area to make him a more difficult block on the edge, and it allows him to maximize his own anatomical length.
Robinson profiles best as a stand-up EDGE in odd and hybrid-front schemes. He’s a potent game-wrecker who can win instantly, a necessary trait in a league that’s getting the ball out quicker by the season. But he also possesses the athleticism and fluidity to survive in space, so a stand-up linebacker role could be in his future as well.