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Penn State injury updates: Will the Lions have Trey Wallace and Elliot Washington II back for the Big Ten title game?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•12/04/24•

GregPickel

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Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. (Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)

Penn State was without its top receiver for last week’s regular season finale with Maryland. And, its cornerback with the fourth most snaps at that position has missed two games plus two quarters. Could either Trey Wallace or Elliot Washington II return for Saturday’s Big Ten title game after both were back on the field when reporters were at practice on Wednesday? Lions head coach James Franklin, when asked that question, said his confidence level in that being the case was “good.”

“But as you guys know, I don’t get into a whole lot of that kind of stuff unless it’s a long-term injury,” Franklin said. “But we have confidence that both of those guys will be available to play. I think you saw them both out here contributing today.”

Is it a smokescreen for the Ducks, who were surely keeping an eye on what the 11th-year leader of the Lions had to say on Wednesday night? Time will tell. Wallace was a surprise addition to the Lions’ list of questionable players last weekend against the Terrapins. He warmed up in pads but did not end up seeing the field after being at practice the Wednesday before the Senior Day matchup.

“Trey tweaked something during the week and was not able to go,” Franklin said Sunday. “We are hopeful that he’ll be able to go this week. But, too early in the week to really tell. But was unable to go this past week.”

We’ll see if he’s able to go on Saturday.

Penn State practice notes: Offense | Defense

Washington II, meanwhile, went to the locker room before halftime after playing just nine snaps at Purdue. He then missed both the Minnesota and Maryland games. He was not seen at practice over the last two weeks. So, Wednesday marked the first time he was back in action when reporters were on hand. The reason he both went to the locker room early in West Lafayette and missed the matchups with the Golden Gophers and Terrapins has not been disclosed.

Penn State and Oregon meet at 8:17 p.m. ET on Saturday. CBS will televise the game from Lucas Oil Stadium. The Ducks (12-0) are currently a 3.5-point favorite over the Nittany Lions (11-1).

“We’ve gotten to see them a decent amount in crossover games,” Franklin said. “They’re doing some really nice things on offense, defense and special teams, but it really just came down to a normal game week, probably very similar to what we’ve faced in terms of UCLA and Washington. New opponents that we don’t have a whole lot of familiarity with.

“At least with them you could do a little bit of summer studies and things like that. But at the end of the day, we got a week to get ready for these guys. We’re maximizing that time, and I’ve been pleased so far with how the players and the staff.”

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