Penn State is coming out of its bye week to host Purdue in Week 9, but judging by the availability report, it doesn’t appear that the Nittany Lions spent their week off getting healthy. Somehow, Matt Campbell’s team is almost more banged up.
On the other side, Purdue, also coming off a Week 8 bye, has just four players listed on the availability report and only two out: tight end Kylan Fox and DB Radarrion Daniels. The Boilermakers, considerable underdogs on the road despite coming in with two Big Ten victories, are about as close to 100% as you’re going to be this time of year.
The most notable injury situations to monitor for Penn State are at wide receiver, as sophomore star Koby Howard attempts to return for the first time since Week 3, and Chase Sowell, coming off a career-high 11-catch performance against Michigan in Week 7, appeared on the injury report Wednesday.
Koby Howard injury update: DOUBTFUL
Howard was listed as questionable on the midweek availability report, but on Friday night, he was downgraded to doubtful. Howard originally indicated on social media that he had a chance to return against Michigan in Week 7 after his initial injury, but he is now two weeks beyond that timeline, and it does not appear that he is yet 100%.
Howard practiced this week, but Campbell spoke about how he wanted to make sure Howard would be at his best when he came back, saying he didn’t want a “shell” of the dynamic playmaker on the field.
Chase Sowell injury update: QUESTIONABLE
Sowell exited temporarily against Michigan in Week 7 but returned to make more of an impact as Penn State’s No. 1 pass-catcher. With Howard out, Sowell, who transferred with Rocco Becht and many others from Iowa State, has emerged as Becht’s favorite target. Sowell will seemingly be a game-time decision on Saturday ahead of the 4:15 p.m. ET kickoff at Beaver Stadium.
If Sowell and Howard are unable to go, Brett Eskildsen and Zay Robinson will need to be the focal points of the passing game, along with tight ends Benjamin Brahmer and Andrew Rappleyea. Robinson has played significant snaps in the slot but hasn’t made much of an impact this year.
Penn State injury report Week 9:
- Max Granville, DE: OUT
- Alex Tatsch, LB: OUT
- Joshua Johnson, CB: OUT
- Tyler Armstead, CB: OUT
- Mason Robinson, DE: OUT
- Will Tompkins, OL: OUT
- Cooper Alexander, TE: OUT
- Omarion Davis, S: OUT
- Christian Askew, CB: OUT
- Liam Andrews, DT: OUT
- Christiano Rosa, K: OUT
- Alijah Carnell, DT: Doubtful
- Chase Sowell, WR: Questionable
- Koby Howard, WR: Questionable
- Alexander McPherson, DE: Questionable
- Brian Kortovich, TE: Questionable
- Jeremiah Cooper, S: Probable
- Yvan Kemajou, DE: Probable
- Armstrong Nnodim, DT: Probable
Along with the wide receiver room, Penn State’s defensive line has gotten very thin due to injuries. Alijah Carnell, who missed the early part of the season with an injury, was downgraded from doubtful to out.
On the positive side, Alexander McPherson, who played the most snaps on the edge for Penn State in Week 7, usurping Yvan Kemajou and Ikenna Ezeogu, was upgraded from questionable to probable. Kemajou remained probable as he was listed early in the week.
LaVar Arrington II injury update: IN
One potential option at edge if McPherson or Kemajou is limited is LaVar Arrington II, who is set to make his season debut after undergoing cleanup surgery for a knee injury late in the preseason. True freshman Jackson Ford is another option at defensive end as well.
Purdue injury report Week 9:
- Kylan Fox, TE: OUT
- Raderrian Daniels, DB: OUT
- Jaden Mangham, DB: Questionable
- De’Nylon Morrissette, WR: Questionable
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