Penn State star defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton left the field under his own power after coming up lame in the first half of Penn State’s Week 9 matchup with Wisconsin. The Badgers took a 10-7 lead near the end of the first half with a 10-play 73-yard touchdown drive, and beyond losing the lead, the Nittany Lions also lost one of their most important defensive players.
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The junior came up limping after nearly getting to Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke on a pass rush and appeared to grab at his right quad as he headed to the sidelines. It appeared to be a non-contact injury. Dennis-Sutton did not return in the first half as the Badgers took their 10-7 lead into the break.
Dennis-Sutton is third on the team with two sacks this season and has played the seventh most defensive snaps. The former five-star recruit has continued to emerge as a star in 2024 after Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson both left for the NFL this offseason. He entered Week 9 with the most quarterback pressures on new defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s defense.
Allen’s defense relied heavily on the pass-rushing ability of Dennis-Sutton and Abdul Carter. If Dennis-Sutton cannot return, senior Amin Vanover will be leaned on heavily opposite Carter and Smith Vilbert should see an increase in snaps on the edge. True freshman Max Granville, who reclassified from the 2025 recruiting class to head to Happy Valley early, could also see important reps.
Granville has played 13 snaps this season and planned to redshirt, but may be called upon to burn his redshirt if Dennis-Sutton's injury persists.
Dani Dennis-Sutton injury update:
Dani Dennis-Sutton limped off the field in the first half against Wisconsin and did not return after examination in the medical tent.
UPDATE: Dennis-Sutton attempted to return for Wisconsin's first possession of the second half but returned to the sideline and removed his helmet.