James Franklin leaves status of Curtis Jacobs, Tyler Elsdon in question

James Franklin went full coach speak when updating the status of Penn State linebackers Curtis Jacobs and Tyler Elsdon for Saturday’s game against Maryland.

In other words, we won’t know anything until Saturday.

“I’m not going to talk about guys that are going to be available on Saturday,” Franklin said of his two standout linebackers. “A lot of times I don’t know at this stage of the week, anyway. But I’m happy with our depth.”

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Both Jacobs and Elsdon were banged up last weekend against Indiana. With both of the junior linebackers’ status up in the air as of Wednesday, that would leave the Nittany Lions’ depth slim at the linebacker position. Freshman linebacker Keon Wylie could fill in, but he only has two games under his belt so far in his collegiate career.

“He played this past weekend, so yeah, he’s a guy that could factor in,” Franklin said of Wylie. “We got a lot of confidence in him. He’s handled the whole process really well. He’s starting to put on some size and get bigger. Because, that was a little bit of an issue when he first showed up. But yeah, he’s a guy that could factor in for sure.”

Jacobs and Elsdon are two of the top-five tacklers on the team through Week 10, collectively compiling 67 total tackles this season. Jacobs has been the more impactful presence, notching a sack, a pick-six, one pass defended and two fumble recoveries to his credit for Penn State.

Still, Franklin is confident in his team’s depth heading into Saturday regardless of Jacobs and Elsdon’s status. Only time will tell their official status, but it’s likely we won’t know until game day.

Kickoff between the Nittany Lions and Terrapins is set for 3:30 p.m. ET in Happy Valley. FOX will carry the national broadcast.