About three months have passed since one of Penn State’s top players suffered a chronic injury.
Outstanding safetyAlthough Kevin Winston Jr. only played in three Penn State games, he was instrumental in the Lions’ season-opening 34–12 victory over West Virginia on August 31. With 60 tackles in 2023, Winston led the Lions.
Winston forced a turnover against the Mountaineers and lead PSU in tackles with twelve, including seven solos.
Lions coach James Franklin was questioned on Sunday regarding the likelihood of Winston making a comeback in December, given that Penn State’s season has been extended in the collegiate playoffs.
Sixth-seeded Penn State (11-2) will play 11th-seeded SMU (11-2) at Beaver Stadium on December 21. The kickoff time is set for noon.
On Sunday afternoon, one day after the Lions’ 45-37 loss to undefeated Oregon in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis, Franklin declared, “We will not get KJ back for this year.”
I cited long-term injury earlier. On the other hand, we emerged from that game in Oregon in fairly good health.
We’re in a fairly decent spot, in my opinion.
Franklin went on to say that none of the standout Penn State players—defensive tackle Alonzo Ford, tight end Andrew Rappleyea, and offensive tackle Anthony Donkoh—are anticipated to make a comeback for the postseason due to chronic injuries.
Franklin remarked, “I don’t really see us getting anybody back that’s been out.” However, we were able to emerge from that game with a fairly healthy group of players from the previous week.
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