The status of injured Penn State junior safety KJ Winston for the Nittany Lions’ game against Kent State remained uncertain.
Winston tied a career high with 12 tackles in the season-opening win at West Virginia before he sustained an undefined injury in the first half against Bowling Green on Sept. 7. He did not return.
“I don’t really have any new information to share with you guys at this stage,” Penn State coach James Franklin said Monday. “I probably will when I see you guys later in the week (after practice Wednesday night).”
Winston, who’s in his second season as a starter, and fellow safeties Jaylen Reed and Zakee Wheatley started the first two games in defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s 4-2-5 alignment.
After Winston left the Bowling Green game, Reed moved back to Winston’s position with Cam Miller, who has mostly played cornerback, replacing him. In addition, freshman Dejuan Lane played at safety when Winston was out.
“Dae Dae (Lane) is the next guy we’ve been trying to get reps,” Franklin said. “That’ll be important. We’re trying to get Dae Dae more involved. We’re going to have to develop a few more guys.”
Winston is believed to have suffered a leg injury. Penn State and Franklin have a policy to not detail and describe injuries. With the Lions playing 49-point underdog Kent State Saturday at 3:30 at Beaver Stadium, it seems that Winston would sit if there’s any doubt about his status.
“We’ll see timing-wise how this whole thing plays out,” Franklin said.
Green light: Freshman tight end Luke Reynolds has played in the first two games and likely will continue to see significant playing time after Andrew Rappleyea suffered a “long-term” injury.
The 6-4, 248-pound Reynolds was considered one of the top 10 tight ends in the 2024 recruiting class. He’s added considerable weight since he arrived on campus.
“Luke’s doing really well,” Franklin said. “We’ve transitioned him to green light (meaning he will not be redshirted). He showed up on campus very driven and motivated to play. He was willing to do the things necessary to play, like attack the weight room, summer workouts or the playbook.
“He has the ability to make plays in the passing game. He’ll also stick his nose in there (to block), which is somewhat unusual for a tight end in 2024.”
Reynolds is behind veterans Tyler Warren and Khalil Dinkins.
Saunders slowed: Penn State wide receiver and punt returner Kaden Saunders has not played on offense so far because of “a lingering injury,” Franklin said.
Saunders, a redshirt sophomore, has fielded punts without trying to return them. He fumbled one against Kent State that bounced out of bounds for a 7-yard loss.
“He’s not able to play at 100%,” Franklin said. “There’s been a ton of excitement about him. There still is, but he has had a lingering injury that has slowed some of that progress or development.”
Prime time game: Penn State’s Big Ten opener against Illinois Sept. 28 at Beaver Stadium will be a night game, it was announced Monday.
The game will start at 7 or 7:30 p.m. The television carrier has yet to be determined.
Source: Berkshire mont
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