Iowa CB Cooper DeJean confirms damaged leg, outlines restoration

INDIANAPOLIS — Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean mentioned he has lately began to run at full velocity, acknowledging he’s nonetheless recovering from the damaged leg that ended his ultimate season with the Hawkeyes early.

DeJean mentioned Thursday on the NFL scouting mix that he suffered a fractured fibula throughout a mid-November follow and underwent surgical procedure. DeJean missed the Hawkeyes’ ultimate 4 video games of the season, together with the Large Ten championship sport.

Discussing the damage publicly for the primary time and calling it “form of a freak factor,” DeJean mentioned he nonetheless plans to have an on-campus exercise for NFL evaluators earlier than the April draft.

“I have been rehabbing ever since,” DeJean mentioned of the damage. “[I] simply began operating full velocity final week. I plan on understanding in some unspecified time in the future earlier than the draft. … I’m [medically] cleared. I am simply progressing proper now.”

DeJean, who’s the No. 15 participant on Mel Kiper Jr.’s newest Large Board, mentioned he is not going to work out on the mix or at Iowa’s professional day, which is scheduled for March 18.

“I am going to work out a while earlier than the draft … someday positively earlier than the draft — early April,” DeJean mentioned. “I simply began operating full velocity final week, so I have not been capable of practice like I need to.”

The Odebolt, Iowa, native mentioned the groups he has met with have mentioned they see him as an choice at cornerback, within the slot and even for some snaps at security. He had seven profession interceptions and returned three of these for touchdowns.

DeJean additionally returned 31 punts in his three seasons at Iowa, averaging 13.1 yards per return with one landing.

“With the ability to play a number of completely different positions, I feel that is a bonus coming into this league, to have the ability to play wherever they put me,” DeJean mentioned. “It does not matter to me, to be trustworthy. I simply need to play ball.”