Penn State coach James Franklin has no update on injured receiver Harrison "Trey" Wallace III

Penn State receiver Harrison “Trey” Wallace III is not out for the season. But, whether or not the third-year receiver will play this Saturday against Maryland is unclear. Lions coach James Franklin said he had no update on the injured Alabama native during his news conference on Tuesday.

Wallace III was hurt in last weekend’s 33-24 Nittany Lion win over Indiana. He stayed down on the field after a first half incompletion and was immediately taken to the locker room instead of heading to the sideline injury tent once he finally stood up. A short while later, he reappeared on the sideline with his right arm in a sling. Penn State has struggled at receiver this year with and without Wallace III, who has missed plenty of time due to injury this season. A third receiving option has not yet presented itself through eight games. If Wallace III misses the game against the Terrapins game, it will further hurt a Penn State passing attack that has struggled with consistency and explosive plays.

“We felt like Trey and KeAndre [Lambert-Smith] were two of the more proven commodities we had,” Franklin said. “We had Trey. Then we lost Trey for a couple of weeks. Then we get him back. Now, we lost him again. It no doubt has an impact. There’s also been a bunch of conversation about wanting somebody else to step up into that third role. Which, right now, would be the second role and has been for a good part of the season. We have guys that have done some pretty good things. It comes down to consistency.”

More Penn State updates from James Franklin’s news conference

BWI’s Nate Bauer is providing updates from Tuesday’s news conference. Some highlights are below.

On Daequan Hardy as the primary Penn State punt returner:
Hard and challenging part is No. 1 priority has to be catching the ball. No. 2 is ability to make explosive plays. Challenge for coaches and players is how much live do you go on ST with a PR that is also starting nickel and corner. Then you go live and in evaluation period, you lose that guy. You just don’t get that many live reps. A lot like dual threat QB in a competition where you don’t get to see that element of his game.
Had Jahan Dotson before. And in the past, had been based No. 1 on who caught it most consistently in practice. Totally fair question. He’s doing a great job and hopefully putting him in a position to make plays.
Have not put him on offense. It’s not that easy. Something you have to make a decision on early on. Someone with the ability to do and learn both at a high level. If you do that for a week, everyone knows he’s just in on pass plays. There are guys on both sides of the ball that only play one side, and miss assignments all the time. There is a lot that goes into it.

On the offensive line the past two weeks:
Across the board, and specifically the last two weeks, need to play better, get better, and grow. What happens specifically with the offensive line is, whatever OL you’re playing, or QB is back there, if you’re not good enough on first or second down, and in obvious passing situations and people can tee off, twist and game you, that’s challenging on the best OL. Gotta manage it as coaches. Players have to execute to stay ahead of the sticks.
Best sack teams in the country, it’s a stat that can be skewed because they don’t throw it, and when they do, it is in manageable third down situations. 
Need to develop depth. Have to execute and play better on first and second down. You’ll get obvious third downs and passing situations, but you obviously don’t want to live in that, and it’s impacted it the past two weeks. Combination of both.

On Drew Shelton against Indiana:
Started a bunch of games last year and playing a ton this year. Lots of confidence in him. Needs to be more consistent. But he’s been very steady and consistent since he’s gotten here. very conscientious young man. He’ll continue to get better. Going to need him. Need him this game. Thinks Caedan will be available for this game. But will play Drew either way. Pleased with his development. Needs consistency with physicality in the run game as well as pass protection as well.