The brisk air blew through the open doors and into Penn State’s practice facility. It didn’t matter that practice was inside. The seasons are changing and the Nittany Lions cannot escape it. What an indoor practice can help with, however, is limiting injuries — and James Franklin has only added to his listed of banged up players in recent days.
Some of these players have returned to practice, but others remain on the mend as Penn State prepares for its matchup with UCLA on Saturday.
Here are some obversations and attendance notes from Wednesday’s practice viewing session.
Searching for Singleton
It took a few looks at Penn State’s running backs on Wednesday to realize leading rusher Nick Singleton was absent. Sometimes, players wear different practice numbers or work with various units for a given period. After some extensive searching, it didn’t appear either was the case with Singleton. He just wasn’t there.
Singleton spoke to reporters yesterday, so if he sustained an injury it must have happened very recently. Asked after practice if he had an update on Singleton’s status, coach James Franklin said “not at this stage.”
If Singleton is to be sidelined this weekend — and that is a major, major “if” — Kaytron Allen would assume the role as the team’s primary rusher and true freshman Quinton Martin Jr. would take backup duties. Martin earned a promotion after a “long-term” injury to former third-string Cam Wallace against Kent State two weeks ago.
Other attendance notes
In promising news, starting linebacker Dominic DeLuca was an active particpant at Wednesday’s viewing session. He missed the weekend’s tilt with the Fighting Illini with an injury, presumably to his right hand, given that it was wrapped in a brace both on Saturday and at practice on Wednesday.
Sal Wormley, the team’s starting right guard, was also present on Wednesday. Wormley exited the game in the first quarter on Saturday and did not return. He was replaced by JB Nelson, who also sustained an injury and exited the game in the third quarter. Nelson was not present at Wednesday’s viewing window.
Another starter, cornerback Jalen Kimber, was also in attendance. Franklin said on Monday the Nittany Lions “expect” DeLuca, Wormley and Kimber back. While he did not state exactly when he anticipated their returns, with all three back at practice, it appears they could be in position to play as soon as this weekend.
