Matt Campbell added Koby Howard to growing list of Penn State injury concerns for Week 4

Penn State managed to avoid any major turbulence in its glorified preseason slate, beating Marshall, Temple, and Buffalo. However, the Nittany Lions didn’t escape their Week 3 win over the Bulls at Beaver Stadium unscathed. 

Starting center Brock Riker and tight end Andrew Rappleyea both exited the game with injuries, and apparently, so did star wide receiver Koby Howard. According to head coach Matt Campbell in his Tuesday media availability, Howard “got dinged up on that long touchdown run.” He added that, “We don't know exactly where he'll be at the end of the week."

That’s a troubling update for the Penn State passing game as the team prepares for its Big Ten opener against Wisconsin in Week 4. 

Koby Howard questionable for Week 4 vs. Wisconsin

Howard, who didn’t see enough playing time to deliver on the hype he generated heading into his true freshman season in 2025, has been dynamic in 2026. In the first three games, he has two 100+ yard receiving games this season, becoming the first Nittany Lion wide receiver to accomplish that since Parker Washington and Jahan Dotson. 

Howard caught three passes for 115 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo, and added a 20-yard rushing touchdown on a designed reverse. This is seemingly the play that Howard got “dinged up” on: 

If Howard is out for Week 4, quarterback Rocco Becht will be forced to rely more heavily on his fellow Iowa State transfers. Becht, Campbell, and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser arrived in Happy Valley with their five leading receivers from a year ago in Ames. Those players, both at wide receiver and tight end, will be especially important if Rappleyea also misses the game. 

Matt Campbell updates Andrew Rappleyea and Brock Riker’s injury status

Along with the information about Howard, Campbell shared news on Rappleyea and Riker. The former is officially questionable with what appeared to be a shoulder injury he suffered after making his third catch of the game against Buffalo. 

Riker’s injury is undisclosed, but according to Campbell, he is on track to play. Riker was replaced by Iowa State transfer Vaea Ikakoula for most of the game on Saturday. Veteran Dom Rulli did not get the nod as backup center. 

Getting Riker back will be important for a run game that didn’t quite have its footing until a 304-yard performance against the Bulls. However, losing Rappleyea will hurt as he’s emerged as one of the best run-blockers in Mouser’s tight end-centric scheme. 

Penn State has Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle at tight end, along with Finn Furmanek, who had his first career catch in the second half on Saturday, but Brahmer is a pass-catching specialist, and Burkle is primarily a blocker. Rappleyea is the team’s best all-around option at the position.

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