With Koby Howard out since Week 3, Iowa State transfer Chase Sowell has been Penn State’s de facto WR1. Sowell was banged up in the Nittany Lions’ Week 6 loss to USC, but returned to the game and was listed as probable on the team’s final availability report for Week 7.
Sowell was a top target once again for quarterback Rocco Becht at Michigan Stadium as the Nittany Lions jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Wolverines. He caught four passes for 34 yards in the first half, but 10 seconds into the second quarter, Sowell went down with an injury on his fourth reception and was helped to the sideline after being attended to by trainers on the field.
Sowell’s right ankle was seemingly rolled up on by the defensive back after making the catch. According to the CBS broadcast, Sowell went into the blue injury tent on the sideline.
With Howard still out, Penn State can't afford any more injuries to its wide receiver corps. If Sowell is unable to return, fellow Iowa State transfer Brett Eskildsen will move up the pecking order, and Zay Robinson will be counted on more than just out of the slot, where he has primarily worked during Howard's absence.
Sowell entered the week as Penn State's leader in receptions with 23 and receiving yards with 359. Tight end Benjamin Brahmer leads the team with three receiving touchdowns. Penn State's pass catchers have struggled to create separation against Big Ten competition, and facing the best secondary the Nittany Lions will face in 2026, potentially without Sowell for the rest of the way, will be a tough ask for Becht.
Chase Sowell injury update:
Latest update: Sowell returned for a second-and-8 with 10:40 remaining in the second quarter and was immediately targeted by Rocco Becht for a 26-yard completion against Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill.
Sowell went down on the first play of the second quarter against Michigan with an apparent ankle injury. After spending most of the week on the availability report following an injury against USC, Sowell had to be removed from the game.
Sowell emerged from the tent on the Penn State sideline, but in the words of CBS play-by-play broadcaster Brad Nessler, he was "limping around."
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