Penn State will again be without wide receiver Koby Howard after Friday’s Big Ten availability report ruled him out for Saturday’s matchup against Washington.
Howard was listed as questionable Thursday before being downgraded Friday, leaving the Nittany Lions without another option in a receiving corps that still has two other players on the report.
There is reason for optimism regarding Chase Sowell.
The Penn State receiver remains probable, while Zay Robinson is questionable. Both carried those same designations Thursday.
Sowell’s status gives Penn State some encouragement heading into Saturday, although his probable designation does not guarantee he will play. With Howard unavailable and Robinson’s status unresolved, Sowell’s availability takes on added importance for the passing game.
Robinson is the only Nittany Lion listed as questionable on Friday’s report.
Howard’s downgrade represented Penn State’s lone change from Thursday, with the remaining nine players retaining their previous designations. Overall, the Nittany Lions have six players ruled out, one questionable and three probable.
Joining Howard on the out list are defensive end Max Granville, linebacker Alex Tatsch, cornerback Tyler Armstead, defensive tackle Alijah Carnell and kicker Cristiano Rosa.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Those five players were also ruled out on Thursday’s report, leaving Penn State’s defensive absences unchanged heading into the weekend.
Defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim remains probable, providing a more encouraging outlook at a position where Carnell is unavailable.
Offensive lineman Malachi Goodman also retained his probable designation. Goodman, Nnodim and Sowell account for all three Penn State players in that category.
No Nittany Lions are listed as doubtful.
For Penn State, the biggest remaining question involves Robinson, while Sowell’s probable status remains a development worth watching ahead of kickoff.
Friday’s report closes the door on Howard playing against the Huskies. Saturday’s game-day update will offer further clarity on the remaining players whose availability has yet to be settled.
