UPDATE: James Franklin says injured star Penn State defender not expected to miss season

Penn State football lost more than the game last week when it fell 20-12 to Ohio State in Columbus. The Nittany Lions pass rush took a significant hit in the first half when star EDGE Chop Robinson left the game due to injury. Updates on Robinson’s condition have been limited since the Penn State defender hit the Ohio Stadium turf on Saturday afternoon. That is, until Tuesday, when James Franklin expressed that he does not believe the injury to Robinson is season-ending.

Status of star Penn State defender unclear after scary injury

Near the 10-minute mark of the second quarter in Saturday’s crushing loss to Ohio State, star Nittany Lion defender Chop Robinson hit the turf after suffering what looked like a hit to the helmet. The Penn State football star was eventually helped to his feet but needed assistance getting to the sideline.

Robinson was shown being carted off the field several minutes later. Little was known about the status of Robinson’s injury after that point. Big Noon sideline reporter Jenny Taft noted Robinson remained in the locker room as halftime approached. The potential first-round NFL Draft pick wasn’t shown on the sideline in the second half, nor was James Franklin asked about his status after the game.

James Franklin gives update on Chop Robinson

On Tuesday, we got the first sense of how long the Nittany Lions defense may be without Robinson. While Franklin wouldn’t say when he expects the star EDGE rusher back, he did note that Robinson should return this fall. 

“As from what I understand and from what I see, and from what I know, I don’t see this being a long-term issue,” Franklin said in his weekly press conference. “But you never know when it comes to medical. But hopefully, we’ll be getting Chop back here soon. As you guys know, I’m pretty open when it’s a season-ending injury. I don’t see that.”

The media practice viewing window occurs on Wednesday evening, so that’ll be our first opportunity to see if Robinson has returned to the field with his teammates. The Nittany Lions could use Robinson’s playmaking ability as Penn State football looks to salvage its College Football Playoff hopes. Chop Robinson has 9 tackles on the season, including 5 tackles-for-loss and 3 sacks.

Penn State football plays Indiana on Saturday and Maryland next week before facing off against No. 2 Michigan on November 11.

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