Wolfe’s workout shortened by injury

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Ryan Wolfe didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis last month because he had only recently been cleared to return from a broken left foot.

The UNLV star targeted Thursday’s pro day at Rebel Park as his chance to post a decent time in the 40-yard dash to go with his many receiving records.

But instead of turning in times in the 4.5-second range, Wolfe pulled his left hamstring near the finish line and had to call it a day.

"It’s nothing too serious," Wolfe said, "but serious enough I need to get that healed up and (not) do any additional harm."

The 6-foot-1-inch, 205-pound Wolfe hopes to run the 40 in another workout for scouts in the next two weeks. But time is growing short because the NFL Draft is April 22 to 24, and Wolfe is considered a late-round or free-agent prospect.

Before hurting his hamstring, Wolfe increased his repetitions on the 225-pound bench press from 13 at the combine to 15.

The Atlanta Falcons have shown the most apparent interest in Wolfe. Coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff will visit Wolfe on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Atlanta was among at least 16 NFL teams represented at pro day. The others included Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New England, New Orleans, the New York Giants, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Diego and Tampa Bay.

Former UNLV linebacker Beau Bell (6-1, 250), who played for the Browns after they drafted him in the fourth round in 2008, was part of the workout. Cleveland released him at the end of training camp last year.

"I’m just asking for an opportunity," said Bell, who ran the 40 in 5.0 seconds into the wind. "If I get that, then I’m going to show them what I really can do."

Like Wolfe, guard/center Joe Hawley and linebacker Jason Beauchamp are trying to break into the league. They also were invited to the combine, meaning their chances of being drafted are good. If they are not picked in the later rounds, they are likely to sign as free agents.

Hawley (6-3, 297) beat two marks from the combine, with a vertical leap of 31½ inches and a broad jump of 8 feet 11 inches. At the combine, his vertical was 26 inches and broad jump 8-9.

"I think I did well," Hawley said. "I’m pretty sure I’m going to get a chance to get drafted, but I have no idea where or when. That’s the big question."

Beauchamp (6-3, 244) ran the 40 in 4.71 seconds and had 30 reps in the bench press, far better than his 4.89 and 21 at the combine.

"Not my best day, but I feel I made improvement," he said.

Perhaps the most surprising performances were by safety Marquel Martin (5-11, 200), who put together jumps of 38½ inches in the vertical and 10-10 in the broad. He twice ran the 40 in 4.4 seconds.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.