Francis Mauigoa injury history: Why Miami tackle's minor back issue is one to monitor for NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa is considered one of the top tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the 20-year-old comes with an injury-related red flag.

Multiple NFL insiders confirmed a few weeks before the draft that Mauigoa has been dealing with a back injury that could require surgery at some point. As offensive linemen are always valuable in the NFL, Mauigoa's health could be one of the biggest factors in how the first round of the draft unfolds.

If healthy, Mauigoa has a chance to be a franchise tackle for a team and a stalwart along an offensive line for years to come. He also could kick inside to guard, giving him coveted versatility that many teams like in offensive line prospects.

Here's the latest on Mauigoa's injury history since his freshman year at Miami.

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Maugoa started every game as a freshman in 2023, but he did so while battling injuries. After the 2023 season, Mauigoa had surgery on both of his shoulders, and he hasn't dealt with any shoulder issues since.

"I'm back like I never left," Mauigoa told the Miami Herald in the 2024 offseason. "I was there at 5 in the morning trying to do some workout before we do rehab, because after rehab we have meetings, lifting…My mentality was 'I need to be on the field as quick as possible.' Because they were grinding every day, and me sitting on my butt made me feel like I'm lazy."

During the NFL Draft process, NFL teams discovered that Francis Mauigoa is dealing with a herniated disc in his back. The injury is not expected to impact his draft status on Thursday night.

"The back injury is not a significant issue now, and it is asymptomatic, but teams say that if it worsens at all, Mauigoa would then need surgery that could sideline him roughly three months," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. "Some teams think he'll eventually need the surgery at some point either way. One front office executive said last week that if the injury flares up in training camp and requires surgery, it might potentially end Mauigoa's rookie season."

Schefter's report also says that teams still expect Mauigoa to be the first offensive lineman off the board in the first round.

Despite dealing with injuries, Mauigoa played in every game for the Hurricanes over the past three seasons, starting 42 games from his freshman season through his junior season. The offensive tackle played in 13 games in both 2023 and 2024, then appeared in all 16 games for Miami as the team made a run to the national championship in late January.

While Mauigoa had back discomfort at the end of the 2025 season, it didn't force him to miss any games. Multiple reports say his back injury is currently asymptomatic, which should ease teams' worries entering the draft.

#Miami OT Francis Mauigoa, potentially the top tackle in the Draft, has decided to be at Combine Rechecks on Friday for additional imaging on a minor back issue that caused him some discomfort late in the season, sources say.Mauigoa started 42 straight games in college,… pic.twitter.com/iHdA9tRkJa