The Penn State football team is entering a hostile environment on Saturday afternoon. The Nittany Lions hit the field for the first time in 2024 to take on West Virginia. But before we get to the game on the field, Penn State has released the first injury report of the 2024 season.
On Monday, James Franklin discussed wide receiver Kaden Saunders and described the redshirt sophomore dealing with “bumps and bruises.”
“Kaden has some bumps and bruises that he has missed some time, and we are working through that right now,” Franklin told reporters during his weekly press conference.
“Obviously, we’re hopeful that he’ll be able to go this week and be full-go and be able to factor in for us.”
The full availability report for Penn State football has been released just hours before kickoff against West Virginia. The following players are out for today’s game. Kaden Saunders did not appear on the report this morning.
14 Jaxon Smolik
16 Khalil Dinkins
20 Mylachi Williams
30 Kari Jackson
32 Keon Wylie
36 Zuriah Fisher
42 Mason Robinson
54 Xavier Gilliam
84 Peter Gonzalez
88 Jerry Cross
88 Sam Siafa
90 Liam Andrews
94 De’Andre Cook
97 T.A. Cunningham
The following depth chart was released this morning but it did not take injuries into account.
Franklin commented on Dinkins this week
Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Khalil Dinkins was the presumed tight end No. 2 heading into the 2024 season. However, he has been dealing with “bumps and bruises” as well according to James Franklin.
“He’s had some bumps and bruises as well and missed some time,” Franklin said. “But he is a big, strong, fast, aggressive guy. He’s been productive in the amount of reps he’s been able to get, but he’s missed some time. We need to get him back soon because I think he has a chance to be a big part of our offense.”
This will lead to the Nittany Lions using Andrew Rappleyea and Luke Reynolds more this afternoon, according to James Franklin.
Penn State is set to kickoff against West Virginia at noon ET on FOX.
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