James Franklin pleased with Penn State’s ‘unusual’ injury situation

Attrition is a normal part of the college football season. But now into the second week of training camp, it’s been so far, so good for Penn State football when it comes to navigating injuries.

After starting practice last week with a handful of key contributors waiting to be medically cleared, on Thursday, James Franklin explained that the injury situation for the Nittany Lions is improving through the early preseason.

“It’s just unusual. Usually, you start and you’re in good shape, and it grows, and we’re going in the opposite direction,” Franklin said. “We’ve made some modifications to our practice. We do that every year, based on Andrew Nelson – our sports scientist’s recommendations – as well as Chuck Losey and the coaches. So I think that’s helped.”

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Coming off a run to the College Football Playoff Semifinal in January, Penn State has taken a “less is more” mentality this offseason, emphasizing recovery after the extended 2024 campaign. The Nittany Lions were without linebacker Tony Rojas, offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh, and tight end Andrew Rappleyea this spring – all of whom are now full participants at fall camp.

“We’re out here a little bit shorter — not much shorter — but we’re out here a little bit shorter, reducing reps a little bit, not much, not significant,” said Franklin. “But yeah, so those guys just had to get cleared, and they’ve cleared. So we’re going in the opposite direction, which is good and unusual.”

Penn State running back getting “more and more confident” off season-ending injury

Redshirt sophomore RB Cam Wallace is returning from a season-ending injury in 2024. © Matt Thomas / Basic Blues Nation, 2025.

In addition to discussing the Nittany Lions’ injury situation broadly, Franklin also discussed the progress of redshirt sophomore running back Cam Wallace, who suffered a brutal leg injury against Kent State last September.

“As you guys know, that was a significant injury, so there’s the physical component that he was still working with, the mental component he was still working through, and emotionally as well,” Franklin commented. “And I see him getting more and more confident every single day.

“He’s totally ready to go, but it was a significant injury. So he’s still working through some of those things. He starts to look more and more like the Cam we remember every single day. And I’m proud of him. He’s handled it all really well.”

RB Cam Wallace is returning after a season-ending injury against Kent State in 2024.

James Franklin last night: "I see him getting more and more confident every single day. He’s totally ready to go, but it was a significant injury. So he’s still working through some of those… pic.twitter.com/bfs2DmKhLx

— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) August 8, 2025

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