Penn State announced Thursday that several players are returning from injuries sustained during the team’s historic College Football Playoff run last season, according to On3’s Greg Pickel.
The Nittany Lions are dealing with an unusually long injury list heading into fall camp. The team’s extended season contributed to the problem.
Penn State reached the CFP Semifinal before losing to Notre Dame. The team finished 13-3 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten play. It was the longest season in program history.
Head coach James Franklin said the injury situation was “not great” on Saturday. But he’s seeing improvement as camp progresses.
“Usually you start [camp], you’re in good shape, and [the injury] list grows,” Franklin said Thursday. “We’re going in the opposite direction.”
The coaching staff made adjustments to practice structure based on recommendations from sports scientist Andrew Nelson and strength coach Chuck Losey.
“So I think that’s helped. We’re out here a little bit shorter. Not much shorter. But we’re out here a little bit shorter, reducing reps a little bit. Not much. Not significant.”
“But yeah, so those guys just had to get cleared, and they’ve cleared. So we’re going in the opposite direction, which is good in an unusual way.”
James Franklin was all smiles at Penn State practice on Thursday. An ‘unusual’ fact about his team’s injury report was undoubtedly one of the reasons why.
Story: https://t.co/IF0RhNMGiz https://t.co/70XSM2IEwJ
— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) August 8, 2025
Wallace Returns to Action
Backup running back Cam Wallace is among the players Franklin described as “totally ready to go,” according to The Daily Collegian’s Will Hortsman.
The 5-foot-9, 208-pound Wallace missed the remainder of last season after suffering an injury against Kent State on September 21. He was the team’s No. 3 running back before going down.
Wallace has a chance to reclaim that role with a strong showing in fall camp.
The Nittany Lions open the season August 30 against Nevada at Beaver Stadium. Franklin’s comments suggest the team should have sufficient depth despite lingering injury concerns from their playoff run.
Penn State’s CFP appearance marked the first in program history under the current format.
