In a James Franklin run football program information about injuries can be hard to come by. He’s intentionally vague when does talk about them and intentionally blunt when he does. As such the best and most reliable injury report comes in the form of who suits up and who plays when the ball snaps.
Unfortunately for Penn State though injuries were an unavoidable storyline following Saturday’s win over San Diego State. From players who never saw the field to ones who were taken off of it. By the end of the game it was as relevant to the remainder of the season as the win itself.
While the likes of tight end Adam Breneman and linebacker Nyeem Wartman are old additions to the injury report, here are a few new faces that will have to overcome a few bumps and bruises. Some more severe than others.
(Safety) Jordan Lucas:
- Lucas didn’t play a snap on Saturday and didn’t dress for the game either after picking up an apparent shoulder injury against Rutgers. While he did return to the game in the second half against Rutgers he apparently wasn’t in a position to play this weekend. It’s entirely possible he was held out as a precaution. Things will become more serious if he isn’t on the field next weekend against Army. Even more so if he’s out against Indiana.
(RB) Akeel Lynch:
- Lynch went down midway through the game with a left knee injury and did not return. His workload included 10 carries for 18 yards by the time he left the field. His knock appeared to be more serious and certainly resembled most ACL related ailments. James Franklin did not know specifically what the issue was following Saturday’s game. And if he did, chances are he wouldn’t say. In terms of the eye test, it would be a surprise if Lynch played next weekend.
(RB) Saquon Barkley:
- An awkward tackle at the end of an electric Barkley run ended his afternoon. Barkley appeared to be dealing with a right lower ankle issue pointing it out to trainers the area from his heel up the back of his leg to about ankle height over the span of several minutes while on the sideline. Barkley never played a down in the second half but was present on the sideline, although, with a noticeable limp. Ankle sprains can linger around longer than you might expect so it would not be a shock if he misses a few weeks if that’s the prognosis. If it’s simply a bad twist then he could hypothetically see a bigger workload against Army/Indiana after some treatment. The worst case might be an achilles issue either a twist or pull. He was pointing to that area specifically while talking to trainers and had it stretched repeatedly while on the sideline in the second half. Whatever the case might be, unless he’s good to go this weekend it’s safe to assume Penn State doesn’t rush him back.
(Safety) Marcus Allen:
- Allen left the game in its earlier stages and returned to the sideline in street clothes and his right arm in a sling. That sort of thing doesn’t leave much room for the imagination but if the issue was a break or a dislocation is unknown. If nothing else it seems unlikely Allen makes a speedy recovery or is pushed back into action against Army.
(LB) Brandon Bell:
- Bell twisted something in his lower body making a non-contact turn on the field but did return to the game. He was active in the final quarter of the victory and did not seem limited by any prior issues. Bell would not have made this list if not for the fact Lucas also returned to the game last week before missing out on the action the following weekend. In that light Bell’s bump or bruise is at least worth monitoring.
(DE) Evan Schwan:
- Fittingly this injury went largely unnoticed by everyone watching and in turn was brought to light by Franklin himself after the game. The nature and timing of the injury is unknown which makes anticipating a timeline for his return difficult to do.
