Penn State Week 5 injury report vs. Northwestern: Who’s in, who’s out, and who has to step up

It’s still early in the year, but the injury bug has already bitten Penn State hard, forcing star wide receiver Koby Howard to miss the start of conference play. Howard’s absence was significant in the Nittany Lions Week 4 loss to Wisconsin, and he’ll be out again on Friday night when Matt Campbell’s team helps open the newly rebuilt Ryan Field at Northwestern. 

Howard, however, isn’t the only injury situation the Nittany Lions are dealing with. There’s another member of the 2025 recruiting class who has turned into a key cog for Penn State, whose situation is worth monitoring: cornerback Daryus Dixson. 

Daryus Dixson still listed as questionable on Thursday night availability report

Dixson did not leave the Week 4 loss to the Badgers, but according to Campbell, who addressed Dixson’s health on Wednesday, he was “dinged up” just before halftime. Dixson was on the initial injury report on Tuesday night, listed as “questionable,” and held the same status on Thursday night when the availability report was released about 24 hours before kickoff in Evanston. 

Penn State needs to get back into the win column after melting down in the second half last week, and Campbell is still in search of his first Big Ten win. To get it, the Nittany Lions will need to be at full strength. Here’s a look at the injury report: 

OUT:

• LaVar Arrington II, DE
• Max Granville, DE
• Koby Howard, WR
• Joshua Johnson, CB
• Tyler Armstead, CB
• Mason Robinson, DE
• Dayshaun Burnett, DE
• Will Tompkins, OL
• Cooper Alexander, TE
• Cam Smith, LB
• Cristiano Rosa, K

Cam Smith is the notable downgrade from the early-week report. The redshirt freshman linebacker hasn’t played a defensive snap for the Nittany Lions since Week 1, and though he’s lower on a crowded linebacker depth chart, he’s a promising young player whom Campbell spoke highly of in the preseason. 

The return of Alex Tatsch, who missed Week 1 as he ramped up from an injury he suffered preparing for the Pinstripe Bowl in December, has helped to fill the void left by Smith and Kooper Ebel, and Tony Rojas has been rock-solid at the second level of D’Anton Lynn’s defense. 

QUESTIONABLE:

• Daryus Dixson, CB

Dixson is seemingly the only player on Penn State’s roster whose status is uncertain heading into Friday night. Considering he played through the injury in the second half against Wisconsin, his outlook appears favorable, but that he wasn’t upgraded to “probable” raises a legitimate question about whether or not he’ll be ready to suit up against the Wildcats. 

If Dixson is unable to go, two other young defensive backs will likely have their numbers called considerably more on Friday night: Jahmir Joseph and Josiah Zayas. Joseph could be the answer on the outside. He’s played significant snaps at boundary corner already this year, and like Dixson, was a highly-rated 2025 four-star recruit. 

If not Joseph, or when he or Audavion Collins needs to be spelled during the game, Lynn may opt to kick nickelback Zion Tracy to the outside, something he and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith have already experimented with some this season. In that case, Zayas, a true freshman who had the pick-six in Week 4 but only played sparingly, will see an uptick in the slot. 

Notable Northwestern injuries: Luke Dehnicke still doubtful

While not ruled out, Northwestern has two starters listed as doubtful for Friday night, including its second-leading receiver: tight end Luke Dehnicke. Dehnicke caught seven passes for 140 yards against Indiana in Week 4, but was banged up and could miss Week 5. 

The Wildcats may also be without starting defensive back Braden Turner. Fellow starting DB Damon Walters is listed as questionable. Here’s a look at the full report: 

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