The Raiders made an important decision on former Vol Jermod McCoy, but his situation is still weird ahead of NFL training camp
Former Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Las Vegas Raiders have made an important decision regarding former Tennessee Vols cornerback Jermod McCoy.
But McCoy’s situation is still in a weird place ahead of training camp.
McCoy is a first-round talent who fell to the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft due to concerns that he could require a second surgery on the torn ACL he suffered in early 2025 while still at Tennessee (McCoy missed the entire 2025 season).
“The concern is about a bone plug that was used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee,” explained NFL insider Tom Pelissero ahead of the draft earlier this spring. “Some of the doctors that have seen his scans are concerned that he will need another surgery to replace that bone plug, which would be an extensive recovery.
“We know this — McCoy feels good. He certainly looked it. Ran really well at his Pro Day. In his mind, he is fully anticipating being ready to roll in the 2026 season. But you’ve got 32 team doctors, 32 degrees of risk tolerance. Everybody is looking at this — this is a top 10 talent who potentially may not go that high. May not even go in round one.”
McCoy said after he was drafted that he’s “good,” but that he’s willing to do whatever the Raiders want him to do for the longevity of his career.
“All of my doctors that did my surgery told me I’m good,” said McCoy. “But if there’s something [the Raiders] want me to do for the longevity of my career, I’m willing to do that because I feel like they have my best interest. So honestly, just whatever the team’s plan for me is, I’m gonna do that.”
According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, the Raiders have decided against McCoy having a second surgery ahead of his rookie season.
“There were questions as to whether McCoy might have needed another procedure on his knee,” reported McFadden earlier this month. “The Raiders, however, opted against it, trusting their medical staff to have McCoy ready for the regular season.”
That’s seemingly good news for McCoy, who participated in OTAs early in the offseason, but he wasn’t on the field for minicamp.
The Raiders say that’s part of the plan, but the former Vol is one of just a handful of draft picks who still hasn’t signed yet.
This feels like a holdout, but the Raiders are framing it as if they’re taking it slow with McCoy, even though he says he’s “good.”
To be honest, the whole situation is bizarre. The concern over McCoy’s knee didn’t pop up until days before the draft. And the Raiders feel comfortable enough with his knee that they don’t think McCoy needs a second surgery right now. Does that mean he’s good longterm? Or does that mean there’s still a risk and maybe that’s why the contract is taking so long to work out?
It’s weird. But hopefully we see McCoy on the field soon, and hopefully he stays healthy — he’s certainly a dynamic talent.