Penn State football’s media availabilities during its second bye week of 2024 are predictability limited.
Coach James Franklin didn’t give his weekly Monday presser. No Penn State players will be made available during the week for obvious reasons. There won’t be a game Saturday.
But Franklin did talk with reporters— several of which are still in California during the bye week following Penn State’s 33-30 win over USC Saturday— after the team’s Tuesday practice.
During his 10-minute scrum, Franklin gave status updates of two injured players. One of which hasn’t played at all in 2024 and another who has seen limited reps.
KEON WYLIE
A third-year player from Philadelphia, Wylie suffered a significant injury during spring practice and hasn’t played yet in 2024.
Franklin never says a ton about injuries and didn’t make an exception here but he did say Wylie is “a guy we’re hoping to get back at some point.”
The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder from Philadelphia’s famous Imhotep Charter High School came to Penn State as a defensive end, but was moved to linebacker by the start of his true freshman season. Wylie redshirted his first year but impressed on the practice squad enough to be named the team’s Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Year, an honor he shared with Jake Wilson.
Last season, Wylie played in all 13 of Penn State’s games, playing mainly on special teams.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Defensively, he ended the year with 17 tackles (13 solo), three sacks, five tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.
KADEN SAUNDERS
Saunders, a third-year receiver and punt returner, has been battling injuries all season.
He played in Penn State’s first two games but due to health, was limited to punt return duties.
Franklin said he hopes to have Saunders “back at some point” this season.
Saunders came to Penn State as one of the school’s most prized recruits in the celebrated 2022 class.
But while players such as Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Abdul Carter and KJ Winston have all become regulars for Penn State, that’s yet to happen for Saunders.
Through two seasons, Saunders has caught eight passes for 77 yards and has one touchdown. But the potential is still there, and Saunders will have a chance to showcase it whenever he gets back.
