KJ Winston Jr., injury update: What's the latest on the star Penn State safety before the postseason?
Star Penn State safety KJ Winston Jr., has been dealing with a long-term injury since early September. After spending at least some if not most of the last month recovering from it away from the team, the standout junior from Columbia, Md., was spotted on the Beaver Stadium sideline before the Lions’ eventual 20-13 loss to Ohio State in early November. He walked across the turf with a big brace on his right leg, taking time to chat with Lions alum Ji’Ayir Brown and numerous members of the current team. After taking in the game, he was also spotted at the portion of practice open to reporters on Wednesday. What’s the latest on his status as the team preps for its College Football Playoff matchup with SMU on Dec. 21 at Noon ET inside of Beaver Stadium on TNT?
“We will not get KJ back for this year,” Franklin said.
Winston Jr., who entered the season with tons of NFL Draft praise and preseason recognition, registered 13 tackles and a forced fumble during the first two games of the season. He played in only the first half against Bowling Green in Week 2. He has not been seen on the game field since. And, he won’t be.
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“We are hoping for him to have a more significant impact in terms of leadership, in terms of all those other things,” Lions coach James Franklin said on Oct. 21. “But right now, KJ’s focus is on getting healthy. I actually visited with him and his family on Wednesday night, which was awesome. Me and [Penn State safeties coach Anthony Poindexter]. That was great.
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“He’s a huge part of our program. Will continue to be a huge part of our program. But obviously, based on some of the things that he was working through from a health perspective, his focus was on that, which, rightfully so.”
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