What is the status of Penn State receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith ahead of Saturday's game at Michigan?
Penn State coach James Franklin has long been leery of providing injury updates early in his team’s game week. It makes sense: There is no advantage to giving the opponent an information advantage, even if fans and media members alike will both ask the question in the leadup to game day.
The ninth-year leader of the Nittany Lions did offer a brief, albeit vague, update on receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith on Tuesday during his weekly news conference. Lambert-Smith was hurt early in Penn State’s last win over Northwestern. Will he be available at Michigan?
“We’re hopeful to have KeAndre for Saturday,” Franklin said. “We’ll see how this works out. Sometimes, it’s challenging, even if I wanted to answer the question on a Tuesday, because it’s still very early in the week.”
Lambert-Smith played only two snaps against the Wildcats before being helped off the field with an apparent foot injury. He spent time in the team’s sideline medical tent but never returned to the contest. Afterward, he was spotted in a walking boot in the bowels of Beaver Stadium. So far, Lambert-Smith has nine catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Does Penn State have a number one receiver?
Franklin was asked that question on Tuesday, as well. The Lions’ leading receiver is Parker Washington. He has 25 catches for 285 yards and no touchdowns. Mitchell Tinsley is right behind him with 19 grabs for 225 yards and four scores. Lambert-Smith is then the third-leading player at the receiver position.
Top 10
- 1New
Lincoln Riley
UCF looking at USC coach
- 2
Oregon flips 5-star QB
Cal pledge commits to Ducks
- 3
Ryan Day on future
Ohio State HC gives blunt answer
- 4
Lane Kiffin scorched earth
CFP committee, Miami in crosshairs
- 5Live
National Signing Day Show
Live updates and news on nation's top recruits
“I think we got we got three guys that we feel are that,” Franklin said. “Obviously Parker Washington, obviously KeAndre, who’s coming back, and Mitch. And then, there are some guys also that are coming on. Now, what we see in practice and what we’ve seen all summer is one thing. The production and doing it consistently in games, and that’s at the quarterback position, that’s at the wideout position, that’s a tight end, that’s the protection; that’s all of it.
“Consistently making the tough catches or consistently creating separation or consistently making the throw, all those things kind of factor in. But, we think we have three guys and possibly more, that have the ability to be [a number one receiver]. But, obviously, we got to get it done on Saturdays.”
Penn State plays Michigan on Saturday at Noon ET. FOX will televise the matchup from ‘the Big House’ in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines are currently a seven-point home favorite.
