Penn State Injury Updates Ahead of Maryland Game
Penn State heads into its Big Ten football game at Maryland with some injury concerns on both sides of scrimmage. A look at the Nittany Lions' injury situation as they prepare for Sdaturday's game against the Terps.
Penn State offensive injuries
Two Penn State starters, receiver Harrison Wallace III and right tackle Caedan Wallace, left last week's game against Indiana with early injuries. Harrison Wallace played just eight offensive snaps before sustaining an upper body injury. He wore a sling for the remainder of the game. Caedan Wallace played 12 snaps before leaving the game. Drew Shelton took over at right tackle.
Penn State coach James Franklin had no update on Harrison Wallace's status Tuesday at his weekly press conference. Franklin normally discusses injuries only if they're season-ending. Franklin did say that he expects Caedan Wallace to return but Shelton to play against Maryland as well.
Receiver Malik McClain played his largest role to date in Penn State's offense following Harrison Wallace's exit. He played a season-high 61 offensive snaps but was targeted just once. He did not make a catch. McClain has not caught a pass since the Illinois game Sept. 16. He made four of his six receptions this year in Penn State's opener against West Virginia.
"[McClain is] one of the harder-working guys on the team," Franklin said,"always has a smile on his face. He's very impactful on special teams and on offense, in practice and in games, has shown some really good signs. But it's about consistency."
Freshman tight end Andrew Rappleyea has been listed as "out" for the past two games.
Penn State defensive injuries
The Lions' depth at defensive end was tested against Indiana. They played without injured edge rushers Chop Robinson and Amin Vanover and already were without Smith Vilbert, who has a season-ending injury.
As a result, the Lions rotated just four ends, and freshman Jameial Lyons played in his fourth regular-season game. One more and Lyons burns his redshirt. Robinson and Vanover, both injured at Ohio State, will be names to watch on Penn State's availability report Saturday. Robinson in particular, since he began his career at Maryland before transferring to Penn State last season.
Elsewhere on the injury report, freshman linebacker Kaveion Keys and freshman cornerback Elliot Washington II were listed as "out" for the Indiana game. Washington, a key contributor on defense, has not played the past two games.
Penn State visits Maryland for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday on FOX.
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