Jaxon Smolik injury update: Latest on the Penn State QB, backup situation amid the bye

Penn State quarterback Jaxon Smolik left last Saturday’s loss at Iowa after being tackled and fumbling in the second half. The good news was that the Nittany Lions recovered the ball. The bad news was that the redshirt sophomore went first to the sideline injury tent and then later to the locker room. He eventually returned with a wrap and ice on his lower left arm and did not take another snap.

The backup to Ethan Grunkemeyer, who is now starting in place of the hurt Drew Allar, Smolik’s status is obviously more important than ever before during his time in blue and white. What’s the latest amid the team’s second and final bye week?

“We got this bye week, so we’re going to take that time to see where he is,” interim head coach Terry Smith said. “But there’s no update right now.”

Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki put Smolik in as a change-of-pace option against the Hawkeyes. Pro Football Focus tracked four of his snaps as runs. He was a blocker on the other seven.

“Smolik, he brings some more athleticism to it. Just wanted to give those guys a lot to prepare for,” Smith said last Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium. “And, if we could see a play or two to be made by him, which he did, it turned out to help us move the sticks.”

Assessing the Penn State quarterback situation moving forward

Penn State started the 2025 season with a total of four scholarship quarterbacks. It is down to three after Allar’s injury. Grunkmeyer, a redshirt freshman, is joined by Smolik and freshman Bekkem Kritza.

“Bekkem Kritz is coming off the [injury] list, and he’ll be listed as one of the quarterbacks on the roster,” Smith said.

Kritza, in part due to his injury and his age, looks to be behind walk-on Jack Lambert, who is a redshirt sophomore from North Carolina, on the depth chart.

Grunkemeyer, who is from Ohio, leads the way. But due to Smolik’s current health situation, the depth situation will be worth watching moving forward.

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