Penn State star edge rusher Abdul Carter absent from practice ahead of Orange Bowl

Penn State football was without one of its most notable names as the Nittany Lions prepare for their College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup at the Orange Bowl this week.

Star edge rusher Abdul Carter was not among the defenders taking reps during the open portion of the Nittany Lions’ practice on Sunday afternoon.

It should be noted, however, that it’s not uncommon for Penn State football to withhold players who are dealing with injuries from the short weekly media viewing window. Carter’s absence doesn’t necessarily reflect his status for Thursday’s Orange Bowl against Notre Dame.

Penn State's defensive ends going through wrap-up drills.

No sign of Abdul Carter. pic.twitter.com/wM2h0fc9bu

— Zach Seyko (@zach_seyko) January 5, 2025

“I know Abdul will want to play next week, and he’ll do everything in his power to play next week if he’s able to,” James Franklin said immediately following the Nittany Lions’ Fiesta Bowl victory on New Year’s Eve.

Carter left the game during the first half of last week’s matchup with Boise State. Clearly favoring his left shoulder, the junior defender was seen receiving additional attention as Penn State marched to a 31-14 win over the Broncos.

Penn State star “taking the right approach” ahead of CFP Semifinal matchup

© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Now entering game week No. 16, time will tell if – or how much – Carter sees the field against the Fighting Irish.

“He’s doing great,” Franklin noted on Saturday. “His attitude is great. His mentality has been really good. We’ll see. I think he’s taking the right approach and mentality. It’s going to come down to how he feels and how much practice he’s able to get during the week.

“At this point, I don’t think there’s anything that is stopping him from playing. But it’s just going to come down to, how is he able to play? And, we’ll see.

“But his mentality is great. He’s got a big smile on his face. I think he’s excited about this week. But it’s too early to say at this stage.”

Want to stay up-to-date on all things Penn State football as the Nittany Lions prepare to push for the National Championship? Follow us on social media and subscribe to our free newsletter for live news and insights sent directly to your feed!

Abdul Carter leads the Nittany Lions with 21.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks this season. His 63 tackles this year are fourth-most on the team.

Penn State football faces Notre Dame with a spot in the National Championship on the line Thursday evening. Kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation, one of the fastest-growing outlets covering Penn State athletics. Part of the Full Ride network, we are an alumni-owned and operated, credentialed media outlet dedicated to providing you with updated and reliable insights for all your favorite Nittany Lion sports. Whether it’s Penn State football, basketball, wrestling, or anything in between, you can find it all on Basic Blues Nation!

Please follow us on our social channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our newsletter on Substack for breaking news and notifications. For feedback, questions, or concerns, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on social media.