Penn State coach James Franklin still expects JB Nelson back this season, talks Vega Ioane's progress
Penn State coach James Franklin did not say Tuesday whether or not guard JB Nelson will be back for Saturday’s top-10 showdown with Ohio State. But, the Nittany Lions (6-0) are still expecting him to play at some point this season. When that will be, however, remains up in the air. Nelson, who is in his second season with the Nittany Lions, was carted off the sideline to the locker room during the break between the first and second quarter three weeks ago at Northwestern. He then missed the Lions’ post-bye win over Massachusetts after being listed as out on the availability report.
The nature of Nelson’s injury has not been revealed, per program policy. In Nelson’s place, Vega Ioane started at guard. He played an offensive line high 59 snaps in the 63-0 win over the Minutemen.
“I expect JB back,” Franklin said on Tuesday. “I expect Vega to play, [and] I think Vega is playing really well. I’m very pleased with Vega. We view Vega like we do [Drew Shelton]. We view those guys as starters. And if you look at him, he’s been playing either starter’s reps or starting games anyway. He’s playing really well, will continue to play for us, and we do expect to get JB back.”
Nelson is one of two Penn State regulars who did not play against Massachusetts. The other was tight end Khalil Dinkins. His status for Saturday’s Noon ET kickoff on FOX is unclear, as well. With Dinkins out, freshman Andrew Rappleyea stepped into a bigger role at tight end. He was on the field for 18 snaps last Saturday. If Dinkins is out again, he figures to have a role again. Ioane will have one regardless of whether or not Nelson returns.
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More Penn State-Ohio State updates
Staying on the injury front, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day also spoke to reporters on Tuesday ahead of his team’s clash with Penn State. While the Nittany Lions only have the availability of the aforementioned two players in doubt from a health perspective, the Buckeyes have many more. The list, which features numerous key contributors, includes running backs TreVeyon Henderson, Chip Trayanum, and Miyan Williams, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, and cornerback Denzel Burke.
“Not going to get into all those guys,” Day said Tuesday. “But we’re hopeful we’ll have all of those guys.”
Penn State and Ohio State will both have to release an availability report by 10 a.m. ET Saturday. Until then, expect both programs to be mum about the status of their injured players.
