Penn State is cautiously optimistic that veteran tight end Theo Johnson will return to game action on Saturday when the Nittany Lions take on Auburn.
According to coach James Franklin, Johnson has been dealing with bumps and bruises. Franklin offered up similar optimism ahead of Penn State’s season opener two weeks ago, but Johnson did not play in the game despite traveling.
“Yeah, we’re hopeful. No decision, no final decisions have been made yet,” Franklin said after practice Wednesday. “But we’re hopeful. He’s been doing a little bit more each day and a little bit more each week. So we’re hopeful.”
Johnson did dress for Penn State’s practice on Wednesday but the media only sees a limited portion of the proceedings, making it difficult to assess how available Johnson was for the full assortment of drills. The third-year tight end did not dress for Penn State’s home opener against Ohio and was seen on the sidelines in street clothes.
In his stead the Nittany Lions have leaned on a capable and familiar duo of Brenton Strange and Tyler Warren. Penn State also went with offensive lineman Bryce Effner in certain short-yardage, red zone situations that involved an additional offensive lineman or tight end. Freshman tight end Khalil Dinkins caught his first touchdown pass against Ohio during a game that saw 17 different Nittany Lions catch a pass from quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Drew Allar. Freshman Jerry Cross was also in street clothes on Saturday as Penn State upended the Bobcats.
While Penn State has certainly proven that it can get by without the services of Johnson through two weeks of the season, the Nittany Lions will need all hands on deck as they look to go 3-0 on the year and sweep Auburn in the home-and-home series.
Strange was Penn State’s second-leading receiver in the Nittany Lions’ 28-20 victory over Auburn last year with four catches for 71-yards and a touchdown. Johnson had one catch for 37 yards, while Warren was also useful in the victory, rushing for one short-yardage touchdown and catching a 22-yard pass on the night.
