Penn State star defensive end Abdul Carter left the Nittany Lion’s Fiesta Bowl victory over Boise State on New Year’s Eve in the second quarter with an arm injury and did not return. However, with nine days to recover before Penn State’s Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal matchup with Notre Dame on Thursday night, Carter is likely to play.
The CFP does not require availability reports, so head coach James Franklin has been reluctant to reveal much information about the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Franklin did tell reporters in the final pre-Orange Bowl press conference that, “we anticipate Abdul playing,” adding, “he’s doing everything he possibly can to play.”
Carter is almost certain to be a top-10 pick in this spring’s NFL draft after a season with double-digit sacks and over 20 tackles for loss, in his first year since moving from linebacker to defensive end. Still, he appears to be prioritizing Penn State’s first-ever CFP run over his high-paying NFL future.
Carter will officially be a game-time decision, and at this point, it appears to be more a matter of how well he’s able to play with that injured left arm than if he’s going to suit up in blue and white for potentially the final time. Since a reference to Darth Vader on social media earlier this week, Carter has been hinting at a quick return to action.
Abdul Carter injury update:
Abdul Carter is officially a game-time decision for the Orange Bowl against Notre Dame on Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. James Franklin expected his star defensive player to take the field in the College Football Playoff after leaving the CFP quarterfinals with a left arm injury.
If Carter is limited, or ultimately cannot play, Penn State will turn to senior defensive end Amin Vanover who played in his stead against Boise State.