Penn State could be playing Minnesota without one of its starting receivers and will for sure be playing without a key contributor on defense per the Big Ten availability report.
WR Julian Fleming wasnโt seen at the mediaโs weekly practice viewing window Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Saturdayโs game against Minnesota.
DB Elliot Washington II got hurt in last weekโs 49โ10 win at Purdue and also wasnโt seen at practice, so itโs no surprise that heโs out.
Aside from those two, there are no other surprises. Of the eight Penn State players listed as OUT, only Washington is an addition. The other seven have been out for multiple weeks.
Penn State WR Julian Fleming wasnโt seen at practice during our weekly viewing window Wednesday and is questionable against Minnesota. DB Elliot Washington is out after getting hurt last week against Purdue. pic.twitter.com/LckfeH7aar
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) November 23, 2024
JULIAN FLEMINGโS IMPACT
James Franklin and Julian Fleming during pregame warmups.
Fleming, a former five-star who played in-state at Southern Columbia, roughly an hour and a half from State College, came to Penn State after four seasons at Ohio State. Although Flemingโs been a regular starter, he hasnโt put up the big numbers many ย were hoping for when he transferred over the winter. Through 10 games, Fleming has 13 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown. Star tight end Tyler Warren had 17 catches for 224 yards and a score against USC. But Fleming has contributed in other ways, mainly blocking, and in that USC game, had two big, late 4th-down catches that kept Penn Stateโs college football playoff hopes alive.
WASHINGTONโs IMPACT
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Elliot Washington
Washington, who is listen as out for Penn Sate on the availability report, didnโt get much playing time in 2023, which is normal for a true freshman. This year, heโs taken on an increased role. Per Pro Football Focus, Washington played 82 snaps last season. This year, heโs played 289. But only nine of those snaps came against Purdue. In Washingtonโs absence, Audavion Collins stepped up, playing a season-high 28 snaps. He allowed two receptions for 48 yards.
Penn State-Minnesota is scheduled for 3:30 on CBS.
