James Franklin gives injury updates on key Nittany Lions ahead of Penn State White Out

Penn State football coach James Franklin provided insight into the possible return of three key contributors during his weekly post-practice media scrum Wednesday evening. The updates come as the Nittany Lions prepare to host the Washington Huskies on Saturday night for the program’s annual White Out game.

“I think it’s really important,” Franklin said when asked about playing through injuries late in the season. “That’s, I think, part of just kind of growth as an individual football player. Not a whole lot that we can do about it as coaches. It’s something they just got to figure out with the trainers and doctors.

“Everybody’s temperament about it is different. But yeah, I think that’s just part of growth and maturity as a football player, and knowing the difference and trusting the opinion of the doctors and the trainers of what’s something you can’t go on and what’s something you can.

“Obviously, there are a ton of examples of that in the NFL and college, but for some guys, it’s their first time having an injury, and they have to figure that out as well. They got to figure out what it’s like to kind of work through that process.”

Franklin talks return of Kaden Saunders, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Keon Wylie to Penn State lineup

James Franklin was specifically questioned about the status of Nittany Lions wide receiver Kaden Saunders, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, and linebacker Keon Wylie. While it appears that only Dennis-Sutton is close to returning to action against the Huskies, Franklin’s remarks shed light on when all three can be expected to return to the Penn State lineup:

“Just an experienced guy as a receiver and as a punt returner. He’s done some pretty good things,” Franklin said of Kaden Saunders, who has appeared in only four games on special teams after suffering an injury in fall camp. “Would give us another guy to kind of rotate in and consider.

“His injuries kind of dragged on for a while. That will be really up to him and the trainers and doctors [when to return].”

Defensively, the Nittany Lions could be bolstered by the return of starting edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton. The former five-star recruit was hurt two weeks ago against Wisconsin and played sparingly versus Ohio State.

“He felt a lot better this Sunday than he did the previous Sunday,” said Franklin. “So, he was able to play a little bit last week. So having him back would be big.”

At linebacker, redshirt sophomore Keon Wylie was a visible participant in practice on Wednesday for the first time since being sidelined with a significant undisclosed injury in May.

“Timeline [for return], really, just whenever he feels like he’s ready to go and the trainers and doctors feel like he’s ready to go, but he is getting closer,” Franklin said. “Guy that we were really excited about coming into the season before the injury. So having him back would be helpful on defense and on special teams.”

Penn State football is currently a 13.5-point favorite over Washington. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Saturday on Peacock.

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