Penn State will be without its starting left guard for Saturday’s Homecoming game against UMass.
JB Nelson, who was carted off the field in the first half of Penn State’s most recent game– a 41-13 win at Northwestern Sept. 30– is out, per the Big Ten’s mandatory availability report.
Nelson, a Pittsburgh area native who played at Mt. Lebanon High School under Penn State’s current Director of High School Relations Bob Palko, became Penn State’s starter during fall camp after Landon Tengwall had medically retire from football.
Another Pittsburgh guy, Khalil Dinkins, won’t play against UMass. Dinkins, a tight end who played at North Allegheny High School, caught his first touchdown of the season Sept. 23 in Penn State’s 31-0 White Out win over Iowa. The good news for Penn State’s passing game is that it looks like Harrison “Trey” Wallace is back. Wallace was out for Penn State’s wins at Illinois and Northwestern but did play against Iowa in between. When active, Wallace is the team’s No. 2 receiver and has shown he can be a reliable option for first-year starting QB Drew Allar. In Penn State’s season-opening win over West Virginia under the Beaver Stadium lights, Wallace had seven catches for 72 yards.
Penn State won’t need Wallace against UMass, but him apparently being healthy enough to play is encouraging, as his presence would be much appreciated for Penn State next Saturday at Ohio State.
Here’s Penn State’s full injury report
OUT FOR PENN STATE
WR Tyler Johnson
TE Khalil Dinkins
WR Mason Stahl
WR Carmelo Taylor
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Feyisayo Oluleye
LB Patrick Williams
DE Mason Robinson
LG JB Nelson
Liam Powers
OT Jim Fitzgerald
DE Smith Vilbert
QUESTIONABLE
None
