Penn State injury report: One starter is out and another is questionable against Nevada

STATE COLLEGE — An expected Penn State football starting defensive end is out for today’s matchup with Nevada. And, a first-teamer in the secondary who could also be the team’s punt returner is questionable. Zuriah Fisher headlines the list of Lions who won’t play against the Wolf Pack. He missed last season due to injury but was healthy throughout the spring and most of preseason camp. However, he was not seen at practice in recent weeks, and head coach James Franklin said back on Wednesday that he was dealing with bumps and bruises. Those will keep him out of the opener.

The other notable part of the team’s availability report is that cornerback Zion Tracy is questionable. He is expected to be the Lions’ starting nickel in coordinator Jim Knowles’ 4-2-5 defense. He is also in line to be the top returner, although his pregame status makes that unlikely.

Here’s the full list:

OUT

#7 Kaden Saunders
#16 Bekkem Kritza
#18 Max Granville
#19 Josiah Brown
#36 Zuriah Fisher
#42 Mason Robinson
#58 Kaleb Artis
#59 Brady O’Hara
#61 Liam Horan
#64 Eagan Boyer
#81 Donte Nastasi
#84 Peter Gonzalez
#95 Jordan Mayer

QUESTIONABLE

#7 Zion Tracy

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Takeaways from the first Penn State availability report

Tracy and Fisher are easily two most notable names on this list. But freshman quarterback Bekkem Kritza is an interesting addition on the out list. He was not at practice on Wednesday and was seen with a finger split earlier in camp.

Saunders, Brown, and Granville are all dealing with longterm injuries. The rest should be dealing with just short-term issues. But, we’ll see what Franklin has to say about that after the game.

How to watch, stream Lions-Wolf Pack

Penn State is back on CBS for the first time since last year’s Big Ten title game. It played four times on the network’s air a year ago. According to Steve Sampsell’s spreadsheet at StuffSomersSays.com, Lions’ eighth game ever on CBS.

CBS’ top broadcast team of Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color commentator), and Jenny Dell (sideline reporter) will be on the call. This is the first game of Danielson’s final season as a broadcaster.

The Penn State Sports Network will also be on the radio airwaves with Steve Jones, Jack Ham, and Brian Tripp. It airs on 99.5 & 103.7 FM/1450 AM locally and at GoPSUSports.com online.

Follow along with Blue-White Illustrated

Blue-White Illustrated will have live updates on its home page starting before kickoff. And, premium members can chat with our staff and fellow Penn State fans inside The Lions Den forum during every game. Not a subscriber? Become part of the Penn State community with Blue-White Illustrated. Start for $1 your first week, and get a complimentary year of The Athletic included with your membership. Click here to sign up.