Michael Pinckney will sign as NFL UFA after getting healthy

In a tweet on Sunday afternoon, former Miami Hurricanes linebacker Michael Pinckney told followers to take it easy because he was waiting to sign as an undrafted free agent after he gets healthy following offseason surgery.

Former Miami Hurricanes linebacker Michael Pinckney fell out of the NFL Draft following offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia and detached labrum. Pinkney told his 4,400 plus followers on Twitter to take it easy that he could have signed with a team and that is going to get healthy before doing so.

Michael Pinckney was part of one of the greatest LB corps in the history of the Miami football program. Pinckney, Shaq Quarterman, who was drafted in the fourth round by Jacksonville and Zach McCloud started as true freshmen in 2016. They remained the starters through 2018 before McCloud redshirted in 2019.

Pinckney finished his Miami career with 267 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, eight pass breakups and three interceptions. Pinckney was listed as the seventh-best undrafted LB by NFL.Com. Pinckney produced at a high level in 2018 and 2019 despite playing with a hip injury throughout.

Pinckney told the Miami Herald as quoted on Sunday he faces about a five to seven-month rehab after his January surgery. That puts Pinckney on pace to return near the time training camp begins if the NFL starts on time. NFL minicamps and offseason workouts being conducted virtually should work in Pinckney’s favor.

"“My recovery time is five to seven months. Reports we’re getting now is we won’t see NFL teams until at least August. For me this lockdown thing is a blessing in disguise. It has given me more time to recover.’’"

Teams that have injuries at LB in training camp will work to Pinckney’s advantage. As he gets healthy, Pinckney will have a chance to survey the teams that need the most help at LB and make a decision where he will have the best chance of making a roster. A key for Pinckney could be proving he can play special teams.

As a four-year starter at LB, Pinckney did not play special teams much at Miami. Some of the criticism of Pinckney is that he did not progress enough at Miami. Pinckney emerged as a four-year starter for the Hurricanes despite being a three-star player when he signed with Miami.