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The scouting combine injury to Rutgers tight end D.C. Jefferson could hurt his draft stock. / Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS - As word started to spread through the NFL scouting combine that Rutgers tight end D.C. Jefferson did only three repetitions on the bench press, many were amused.

Jefferson isn't. He might have suffered a serious injury.

Jefferson was at a hospital early Friday evening to have his pectoral muscle examined, his agent, Andy Simms, told USA TODAY Sports. Simms said Jefferson, a projected late-round pick, might have torn the muscle.

According to Simms, Jefferson had been bench-pressing the required 225 pounds more than 20 times during training and expected to do the same at the combine. The injury, which Simms believed to have occurred on Jefferson's second rep, stopped him well short of that goal.

Kent State offensive lineman Brian Winters had nine reps on the bench Friday because of cramps. Winters told news reporters he didn't suffer a major injury and expects to bench-press at his pro day next month.

Last year, ProFootballTalk.com reported a few agents were upset with Arizona Cardinals strength coach John Lott for pushing the players too hard while spotting them during the bench press. Iowa tackle Markus Zusevics tore his pectoral muscle during the bench press and went undrafted.

Lott is not at the combine this year, ending his 16-year streak of serving as the bench-press spotter. The Cardinals said he was staying in Arizona to work with their players who are rehabbing.

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Follow Mike Garafolo on Twitter @mikegarafolo

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Rutgers tight end D.C. Jefferson injured bench pressing at scouting combine