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Abdul Carter injury update: Will Penn State defensive lineman play against Notre Dame?

Kyle Kellyby:Kyle Kelly•about 22 hours•

ByKyleKelly

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Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter. (Photo by Frank Hyatt, BWI)

On Wednesday, Penn State coach James Franklin provided an update on star defensive lineman Abdul Carter ahead of Thursday’s Orange Bowl vs. Notre Dame. Due to injury, Carter left the Nittany Lions’ College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31.

“We anticipate Abdul playing,” Franklin told reporters during Wednesday’s joint news conference with Freeman. “He’s doing everything he possibly can to play. … But it’ll be a game-time decision. And we’ll see. …

“Abdul has approached this the right way. He wants to play. He’s put a ton of cryptic messages on social media, which you guys have probably seen those. I learn as much from those as I do from our trainers.

“We are hopeful and expecting Abdul to play. We’ll see how that plays out.”

During the first half of Penn State’s Dec. 31 game, Carter was evaluated in the sideline tent for an apparent injury after Boise State’s first offensive drive of the second quarter. According to a report from Blue White Illustrated’s Greg Pickel, Carter returned to the field for the next series but left the field favoring his left arm/shoulder.

After the game, Franklin told reporters he “didn’t know a whole lot” about Carter’s injury status.

“We’ll get that checked out and see,” Franklin said Dec. 31. “Obviously, No. 1, the safety, health and welfare of our guys is priority number one. But then, I know Abdul will want to play next week and will do everything in his power next week if he’s able to. We’ll find out. I don’t know a whole lot more information than that.”

When Franklin addressed the media again Saturday, he said Carter “was doing great.”

“His attitude is great, his mentality has been really good,” Franklin said Saturday. “We’ll see. I think he’s taking the right approach and mentality. It’s going to come down to how he feels and how much practice he’s able to get during the week.

“At this point, I don’t think there’s anything that is stopping him from playing. But it’s just going to come down to, is he able to play? And we’ll see. But his mentality is great. He’s got a big smile on his face. I think he’s excited about this week. But it’s too early to say at this stage.”

Carter has posted 11 sacks, 58 pressures, 21.5 tackles for loss and 63 tackles through 14 games this season. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Carter as the No. 2 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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