Cyst caused Nussmeier's 2025 discomfort

By Hunt Palmer

Just about anything that could go wrong for Garrett Nussmeier did last fall.

Patella tendinitis plagued him in August, and a cyst on his spine ultimately ended his season. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday that the cyst was revealed at the NFL Combine during the medical testing.

Former LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier underwent tests at the NFL combine that revealed a cyst on his spine — the root cause of the persistent oblique pain that derailed his 2025 season, sources say.

The cyst was pressing on a nerve, causing discomfort in Nussmeier’s oblique. He has… pic.twitter.com/vG7iXFsleE

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 20, 2026

It was at the combine in Indianapolis when Nussmeier detailed the origination of the injury.

“My injury occurred in Fall Camp, Day 2, practice two of fall camp,” he told reporters. “How much did it affect me? I think it was pretty evident. I really wasn’t able to throw the football. I had a stabbing pain in my ab every time I went to go throw the ball.”

Nussmeier’s production dropped severely from his junior season to 2025. After throwing for 4,052 yards and 29 scores in 2024, those numbers dipped to 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns over just nine games.

At the Senior Bowl in January, Nussmeier declared he was pain free. That week he registered the longest pass and the fastest velocity among the assembled quarterbacks.

The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, and Nussmeier is considered a likely middle-round pick on Friday or Saturday.

He finished his LSU career second all-time in passing attempts and completions, third in yards and fourth in touchdown passes.