Penn State came out of its bye week with a fairly extensive injury report, but even without its top wide receivers, Koby Howard and Chase Sowell, on the field, the Nittany Lions managed a 31-17 win over Purdue in Week 9.
Coming out of that victory and heading out west for a Week 10 matchup with 5-3 Washington at Husky Stadium, the Nittany Lions are a bit healthier, with just six players ruled out on the Friday availability report, but they did have a few new starters pop up heading into Saturday.
This story will be updated when the game-day availability report is released, but tentatively, here’s who is in, who is out, and who will need to step up for head coach Matt Campbell to get his second win in conference play.
WR Koby Howard: OUT
Howard hasn’t played since Week 3, and while he’s been practicing in a limited capacity for the past two weeks, he was ruled out on Friday. As Howard’s recovery lingers, it seems increasingly likely that he may not return to the field this season.
Replacement: As has been the case for most of the year, Chase Sowell, who is listed as probable, will likely need to be the No. 1 target on the outside. However, with Sowell and Zay Robinson both on the injury report, true freshman Amarion Jackson, who played 63 snaps against Purdue, will likely see a big workload again.
WR Chase Sowell: ACTIVE
Sowell was momentarily banged up against Michigan in Week 7, but returned to the game. So, it was a surprise when, after the bye week, he was ruled out against Purdue. However, he’s likely to be back after practicing this week and being listed as probable on Wednesday and Friday, after Penn State traveled out to Seattle.
WR Zay Robinson: ACTIVE
Robinson was not on the Wednesday availability report, but emerged as questionable heading into Saturday. If he cannot go, Jackson will play more at wide receiver, but the real loss will be in the return game.
Potential replacement: Redshirt junior wide receiver Ethan Black will likely assume punt return duties.
LT Malachi Goodman: ACTIVE
Goodman hasn’t missed any time this year, and in general, Penn State’s offensive line has largely been a healthy unit. Even center Brock Riker, who has spent much of the year banged up, has looked healthier and played much better the past few weeks. Goodman was listed as probable on Friday night, so he will likely be able to go.
Potential replacement: Goodman won a three-way battle for the starting left tackle job with Garrett Sexton and Owen Aliciene. However, Sexton has clearly been the primary backup at left tackle so far this season. He has also seen some action as a sixth offensive lineman in heavy formations. Sexton would likely get the start at left tackle.
DT Armstrong Nnodim: ACTIVE
Armstrong Nnodim played just 12 snaps against Purdue and 138 this season. He is a key piece of the defensive tackle rotation for D’Anton Lynn. Keanu Williams, Ty Blanding, Siale Taupaki, and Dallas Vakalahi also feature in that rotation. Alijah Carnell, however, has been ruled out for Week 10. Penn State doesn’t have much depth beyond that group if Nnodim cannot go.
Penn State’s full game-day availability report:
- Alex Tatsch, LB: OUT
- Max Granville, DE: OUT
- Alijah Carnell, DT: OUT
- Koby Howard, WR: OUT
- Tyler Armstread, CB: OUT
- Christiano Rosa, K: OUT
- Chase Sowell, WR: Game-time decision
- Armstrong Nnodim, DT: Game-time decision
- Malachi Goodman, LT: Game-time decision
- Zay Robinson, WR: Game-time decision
Washington game-day availability report:
- Jordan Washington, RB: OUT
- Christian Moss, WR: OUT
- Quaid Carr, RB: OUT
- Landen Hatchett, OL: OUT
- CJ Christian, S: OUT
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