Malik Hooker Played With A Torn Labrum, Sports Hernia In The Fiesta Bowl

The Ohio State star safety played hurt against Clemson.

Malik Hooker revealed in a diary series he's doing for NFL.com that he played with two significant injuries in Ohio State's Fiesta Bowl loss to Clemson.

The projected first-round pick says he played with both a torn labrum and a sports hernia against the Tigers. The injuries were sustained late in the Buckeyes' overtime win against Michigan at the end of November.

From NFL.com:

"The labrum tear, it felt like a groin injury, like something was connected to my groin that just wasn't allowing me to do anything but walk," Hooker told NFL.com as part of a regular Path To The Draft update he'll be providing us throughout the spring. "And even when I walked it just felt like someone was punching me in the groin constantly.

"And the labrum tear, it just felt like my skin was tearing when I stood up. It was constant pain and stuff like that. For me to be where I'm at in the process, the process is going well. A lot faster than what a lot of people think."

Hooker certainly didn't look like he was playing hurt in the blowout loss to Clemson. He finished the game with 7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 interception.

The former Ohio State defensive back is one of eight Buckeyes at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Many see him as a potential top 10 pick.

[NFL.com]