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Penn State coach James Franklin offers update on DT PJ Mustipher's injury recovery

IMG_1698 5 (1)by: David Eckert04/21/22davideckert98
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Defensive tackle PJ Mustipher suffered a season-ending injury against Iowa last season. (Credit: BWI/Steve Manuel)

The latest injury update on star Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher is a positive one.

From conversations with Mustipher and those supporting his recovery, head coach James Franklin thinks the fifth-year player is “a little bit ahead of schedule.”

“He’s excited,” Franklin said. “He sent me a video the other day of him running. He’s gotten in a new knee brace that he really likes as well.

Mustipher, of course, suffered a season-ending injury during Penn State’s October 9 trip to Iowa last season. The Nittany Lions never publicly revealed the details of the injury in keeping with a program policy.

The start to Mustipher’s 2021 campaign was so strong that — despite missing the final seven games — he earned a second-team All-Big Ten place from the coaches.

Franklin explained on Wednesday evening that Mustipher spends the majority of Penn State’s practices working with the training staff. When the Nittany Lions embark on team periods, Mustipher joins the group.

“He’s out there supporting and coaching his teammates,” Franklin said.

First-year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has felt the impact of that support.

With a big personality and ability in abundance, Mustipher commands the attention of his teammates at all times.

His presence, Diaz explained earlier this spring, is always felt.

“He makes sure of that,” Diaz said. “He’s on the defensive linemen. He’s on the defense in general.”

Despite an abbreviated 2020 season and the injury he suffered last fall, Mustipher still boasts 1,296 snaps on defense for the Nittany Lions over the course of his career.

That’s more than any other Penn State defender. With that experience in hand, Franklin and the PSU staff can afford to take their time with Mustipher and his recovery.

“We’re taking a fairly conservative approach, knowing that he’s played a lot of football for us and, most importantly, we gotta have him ready for Purdue and for the season.”

Penn State Blue-White Game to proceed with altered format

Head coach James Franklin emphasized once again that Penn State is working with a limited number of healthy offensive linemen this fall. As such, the Blue-White Game won’t be carried out between a Blue Team and a White Team.

Instead, Franklin said Wednesday, the game will pit the offense against the defense, with each unit occupying its own sideline. It’s the same format the Nittany Lions employed during their behind-closed-doors scrimmage earlier in spring practice.

“It won’t be a traditional spring game like we’ve had in the past,” Franklin said. “We’re working on a scoring system right now…We’re looking into that. I don’t want to make it overly complicated, but we’re working on that right now.

“More of a practice type structure, but there will be some live periods for the fans and the media to see.”

The Nittany Lions will dive into special teams work between drives, allowing their offensive linemen to rest.

Some of the periods will be thud periods, Franklin said. That means ball carriers will be wrapped up — but won’t be taken to the ground. Other periods will be fully live.

“There are some players that aren’t cleared for live, but they are cleared for thud,” Franklin said. “So it allows us to get guys more reps.”

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