BREAKING: Josh Barr suffers injury at Big Ten Championships

Penn State wrestling redshirt freshman 197-pounder Josh Barr injured his left leg during his consolation match with Isaiah Salazar on Sunday afternoon at the Big Ten Championships. The injury took place at the 48-second mark of the first period.

Barr limped around the mat while there was a stoppage to clean blood off Salazar. He returned to competition after talking with head athletic trainer Dan Monthley and the Nittany Lions coaching staff. But clearly still bothered, Barr was taken down by Salazar a few moments later. After medically forfeiting the match, Barr was assisted to the locker room by Monthley and Cael Sanderson.

Josh Barr injured early in consolation. Looks like left knee or calf injury. Medical default. Two weeks to recover. Could be a gaping hole for PSU at 197. pic.twitter.com/umuWVDnJYN

— Powers_Of_PSU (@powers_of_psu) March 9, 2025

Appearing to be an injury to his left leg, Barr’s status remains unknown. He will have two weeks to recover ahead of the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia. A similar situation occurred last March with Carter Starocci, although the four-time national champion had a longer recovery window.

If Barr can’t go in Philadelphia, it would have a significant impact on Penn State wrestling. The No. 2 wrestler at 197 heading into the Big Ten Championships, Barr was projected to earn a top four seed at Nationals. The Nittany Lions will still have eight wrestlers who will be expected to at least reach the NCAA Semifinals based on seeding.

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The latest InterMat team projection had Penn State with 159.5 points, well ahead of second place Iowa at 94. While the Nittany Lions would still be the overwhelming favorite to win the national title without Barr, his absence would likely eliminate any chance of breaking last season’s points total record. Penn State wrestling was also looking to become only the second team ever to have wrestlers in all 10 weight classes earn All-American honors.

The Big Ten Championships will resume at 5:30 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network with the tournament finals, third place, and fifth place matches.

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