No. 13 Penn State football takes on Wisconsin in its first Big Ten contest of the 2026 season. The Nittany Lions are 3-0 heading into Saturday evening's game and the Badgers are 2-1 following the non-conference slate. Kickoff for Penn State vs. Wisconsin is set for 5 p.m. EDT and the game can be watched on Peacock.
Now that Big Ten play has begun, official injury reports for all teams in the conference are required. Below are game designations for the Nittany Lions and who head coach Matt Campbell might turn to in their absences.
This story will be updated until kickoff.
OUT
- Tight end Cooper Alexander
- Cornerback Tyler Armstead
- Defensive end LaVar Arrington II
- Cornerback Christian Askew
- Defensive end Dayshaun Burnett
- Cornerback Joshua Johnson
- Defensive end Mason Robinson
- Linebacker Cam Smith
- Offensive lineman Will Tompkins
Howard and Granville are huge hits on this list, though Penn State knew it would be without them for a bit after the defensive end sustained yet another season-ending injury and the wide receiver turned up with a long-term injury.
At defensive end, the Nittany Lions still have Caleb Bacon, but he's not enough. Yvan Kemajou has to take on a bigger role and so does Jackson Ford. Defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn said on Tuesday that Ford, the true freshman, will have a role in that edge rusher rotation. It'll be interesting to see how Alexander McPherson and Ikenna Ezeogu are used as well regarding snap count.
At wide receiver, there's a few things that need to happen: Chase Sowell has to make a bigger impact, Brett Eskildsen can't be invisible, and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser has to put more trust in Zay Robinson (and maybe even Amarion Jackson). Coming out of fall camp, Mouser said he's comfortable with quite a few receivers going out there on game day, and Week 4 is the time for him to prove that's true.
QUESTIONABLE
- Tight end Andrew Rappleyea
- Offensive lineman Brock Riker
- Offensive lineman Dominic Rulli
Rappleyea is one of the three main tight ends Mouser turns to both as pass catchers and blockers. Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle are expected to take on a bigger workload if Rappleyea isn't out there on Saturday.
Riker has been solid at center, but Vaea Ikakoula is more than capable of stepping in as he did in Week 3. Being at home is a huge advantage for that center-quarterback connection for Ikakoula and Rocco Becht as well.
Campbel, however, did not seem too concerned with either Rappleyea or Riker.
Rulli has been a special teams staple over the non-conference slate after rehabbing from a preseason injury. Limited time on the field for him wouldn't change much for Penn State in this contest.
PROBABLE
- Wide receiver Ethan Black
- Safety Omarion Davis
Both Black and Davis haven't been big names to follow. Davis hasn't appeared in a game yet this season after transferring over from Boston College, and that safety room isn't in a position where he'll have a significant role whetehr he plays or not. As for Black, expect more special teams appearances.
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