Of course, you never wish injury on anyone, but early in the season, most Penn State fans would have been thrilled to see Iowa State transfer running back Carson Hansen on the sidelines, and any other Penn State running back toting the rock.
Since the bye week, however, Hansen has been Penn State’s best offensive player, rushing for 96 yards and a score against Purdue in Week 9, 119 yards and a score against Washington in Week 10, and 126 yards and a touchdown in the first half against Minnesota in Week 11.
On the brink of punching in another touchdown, Hansen, who led the offense with 12 carries in the first half, limped to the sideline after he was stuffed at the goal line inside the final minute of the first half and, according to Audrey Snyder and multiple reporters inside Beaver Stadium, he made his way to the locker room early.
Carson Hansen limped to the sideline with 40 seconds left in the half. He headed to the locker room.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 15, 2026
With a 28-0 lead at the break, Penn State may not need Hansen in the second half, but head coach Matt Campbell would certainly hope to have his leading rusher on the field as he tries to avoid a second-half collapse. Penn State led Washington 28-6 at the intermission in Seattle last week, but allowed 19 unanswered points in the second half.
Ultimately, Hansen was the one who shut the door, leading the way with 46 yards on a seven-minute, 14-play, 70-yard game-clinching drive.
Carson Hansen Week 11 in-game injury update
UPDATE: Hansen was not seen warming up out of the halftime break and did not take the field on Penn State's first drive of the third quarter.
Hansen limped to the sideline after he was stopped for no gain on 1st-and-goal on Penn State’s final drive of the half. The play was preceded by a 22-yard run from Hansen, his second-longest of the day. He went directly into the locker room under his own power.
Hansen, a Minnesota native, was twice named the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year in high school. He's been dominant in his homecoming.
This article will be updated soon as more information comes in.
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