It was a disappointing redshirt senior season for LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, but it has now been revealed that he was playing through injury throughout the campaign, as had been heavily rumored since the season.

Ahead of this week's 2026 NFL draft, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, testing at the combine revealed a cyst on Nussmeier's spine, which was the source of his oblique pain during the 2025 season. Nussmeier has reportedly been asymptomatic since the draft process began, and doctors have cleared him of any long-term risk.

Should the condition cause problems again in the future, Nussmeier could undergo a "minimally invasive" procedure that would hold him out for only a few weeks.

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

Nussmeier, who waited two seasons behind Jayden Daniels in Baton Rouge, was in his second season as the starting quarterback last fall. He began the year as a Heisman favorite but ultimately struggled at times, throwing for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.

He was benched after nine games as he battled a nagging injury.

Nussmeier is projected as a mid-round pick in the draft, and though he didn't have the strongest final season, his stock could be aided now that franchises have more clarity about his health situation.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: NFL Draft: Combine revealed cause of LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier injury