STATE COLLEGE — No. 7 Penn State is dealing with numerous injuries as it takes on UCLA today at Beaver Stadium. While it did receive some good news during pregame warmups, other updates are not as kind to head coach James Franklin’s team. Here’s what we know.
Four Lions return to action
Penn State did not have linebacker Dominic DeLuca available last week against Illinois. This week, he returned to action with a thumb cast on his right hand. Additionally, offensive lineman Sal Wormley and JB Nelson, plus cornerback Jalen Kimber, are all back in action after leaving last week’s contest due to injury.
Singleton is in uniform but has not played
Penn State star junior running back Nicholas Singleton missed practice Wednesday and was listed as questionable before Saturday’s game. He did go through pregame warmups. But, he then spent the first half on the sideline in full pads and his No. 11 uniform. However, he was missing his helmet and never took a snap during the opening 30 minutes. We will update this post if he sees the field after halftime. But, that seems unlikely. No information has been released about the nature of what he’s dealing with.
In his place, co-starter Kaytron Allen has 12 carries for 46 yards. And, freshman Quinton Martin Jr., playing in his second game as a Nittany Lion, has one carry for one yard and one catch for three yards.
Penn State punt returner Saunders sidelined
Penn State punt returner Kaden Saunders has been the team’s primary punt returner through the first four games. He has almost exclusively fair caught the ball, though, due to an injury he suffered in preseason camp. It’s unclear if that issue is why he is out for today’s game and watching with a walking boot on his right foot. But, he will miss at least some time moving forward. In his place, walk-on receiver Jake Spencer fielded the only UCLA punt of the first half.
Donkoh suffers an upper-body injury
Penn State starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh suffered an upper-body injury in the first half of Saturday’s game. He came off the field following a third down sack favoring his left side. Trainers immediately took him to the sideline injury tent. Every indication is that he popped his left shoulder out. He had his pads off to deal with that then put them back on. But, he continued massaging that area on the sideline. Backup Nolan Rucci finished the first half at right tackle and will likely be there in the second half, too.
The story originally posted on https://www.on3.com/