Slo-Mo Video of Gunnar Helm’s Ankle Injury During 40-Yard Dash Turns Heads
During the 2024 regular season, Texas Longhorns standout Gunnar Helm set a new franchise record for tight ends with 60 passes for 786 yards and seven touchdowns.
“I think we all know the path, his journey, the development that he’s had in our program. I’m super proud of him,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said of his breakout season. “What I like about Gunnar is he’s a really versatile guy. He also has evolved his game now into a down the field threat and a guy who can make plays with the ball in his hands.”
Helm, along with a program record of 14 Texas players, were invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Former Texas tight end Gunnar Helm participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
While the 22-year-old had a promising start at the combine, his draft stock fell after his 40-yard dash on Saturday. NFL Network’s Chad Reuter reported, “Helm was a reliable target during his career with the Longhorns and showed solid hands during combine drills, including a nice over-the-shoulder grab during a 50/50 drill. However, he didn’t help himself with a 4.84-second 40 (1.69 10-yard split) and 30-inch vertical at just 241 pounds.
“The lack of suddenness showed in his routes in the positional workout, too. Helm’s primarily contribution in the NFL will be as a pass catcher, and his combine showing casts some doubt on his chances of becoming a starter at the next level.”
However, the tight end, who had a false start during his 40-yard dash attempt, later revealed he suffered an ankle injury on that initial run.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted, “Helm twisted his ankle on his false start on the 40-yard dash, then finished all the drills anyway. Said nothing until it was over. Had an MRI on Saturday to reveal a sprain. And will run again at his Pro Day. The pics are… yikes.”
A slo-mo video of then the actual injury occurred also emerged on X. One viewer wrote, “Teams are gonna like his toughness.” Another person commented, “I seriously flinched my whole body watching this. Holy crap!”
Reuter updated his “stock down” report on Helm on Sunday with an addendum to write, “The tight end plans to run the 40 again at his pro day later this month.”
