James Franklin offers Theo Johnson update ahead of matchup vs. Auburn

Leading up to their cross-conference matchup versus the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, Penn State head coach James Franklin revealed some good news regarding returning tight end Theo Johnson. After missing the first two games of the season, the 6-foot-6, 260-pound pass-catcher is potentially suiting up for Week 3.

“We’re hopeful,” Franklin told reporters on Wednesday. “No final decisions have been made yet. But, we’re hopeful. He’s been doing a little bit more each day and each week. So, we’re hopeful.”

On his radio show last week, Franklin said Johnson had “some bumps and bruises that we’re working through with the trainers. It’s not our call, that’s the trainers and the medical professionals.”

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It sounds like it will be a game-time decision on the tight end. In 2021, he had 19 catches for 213 yards and one touchdown.

So far this season, the tight ends group has been led by redshirt junior Brenton Strange and sophomore Tyler Warren. Through two games, Strange and Warren have combined for seven catches and 128 yards.

Franklin updates status of RB Kaytron Allen

James Franklin provided an update on the status of freshman running back Kaytron Allen and shared the last for his plans on the rotation at RB.

Allen rushed for 23 yards on six carries in Game 2, however, his status was in question for the Auburn game.

“Yeah, (Allen) was not out here today but he’ll be out there Saturday,” Franklin said, confirming his availability.

Allen was a top-150 prospect in the 2022 signing class. He ranked No. 139 overall in the nation and he was the No. 8 running back recruit, according to the On3 Consensus. A graduate of IMG Academy in Florida, Allen was one of the top recruits that James Franklin signed in 2022, although, the Lions also nabbed the No. 1 overall running back in Nick Singleton.

Singleton has had the most carries so far this season with 20, however, Franklin told reporters this week that the staff hasn’t settled on the rotation just yet. He leads the team with 210 rushing yards and two scores.

“We haven’t sat down and talked as a staff about the rotations at this stage,” Franklin said.

The Saturday matchup between Penn State and Auburn kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. The ESPN matchup predictor gives the Nittany Lions a 61.7% chance of victory. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas oddsmakers see a very close game going down with Penn State favored by three points.