Why Kirk Herbstreit won't be at the 2022 NFL Draft

Kirk Herbstreit is usually a fixture at the NFL Draft, but this year the ESPN college football analyst announced he won't be in attendance due to a health issue.

Herbstreit won't be alone in not being at the draft. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said he will cover the event from home, as opposed to on site in Las Vegas, because he was not vaccinated against Covid-19 for medical reasons.

ESPN lead NFL insider Adam Schefter will also not be at the draft this year as he attends his son's college graduation.

Herbstreit was set to provide analysis of the drafted players from the college football perspective alongside College GameDay hosts Rece Davis and Desmond Howard.

Why Kirk Herbstreit won't be at the NFL Draft

Herbstreit said he will skip the NFL Draft out of an abundance of caution after doctors found he was suffering from a blood clot.

Hey guys-wanted to update you on my situation this week. Unfortunately I won't be part of our ESPN/ABC NFL Draft coverage. Our team in Vegas will have it covered, and I will be watching.

Congrats to all the players! I love this event and look forward to returning next year. pic.twitter.com/UvBsI3TaUV
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) April 25, 2022

"Very fortunate to have very good doctors who I trust. I feel good," Herbstreit said.

"But out of an abundance of caution, I think I'm just going to take a step back from this year's draft coverage. We still have a great team out in Vegas with ABC and ESPN. Unfortunately I just won't be with them at this year's event."

This isn't the first time that Kirk Herbstreit has missed a football assignment because of illness: he covered the College Football Playoff in 2020 from home after he announced he had diagnosed with Covid-19.

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