SEATTLE — Penn State football appears to be getting healthy at most every place on its roster for the stretch drive, in order to best save whatever it can of a second straight disappointing season.
To start by building momentum and positivity for its cross-country adventure here on Saturday, Nov. 7, in Washington’s Husky Stadium.
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Getting healthy most everywhere except for their rebuilt receiver room.
While senior Chase Sowell appears to be returning from injury against the Huskies, sophomore sensation Koby Howard will miss his sixth straight game with an undisclosed injury, according to the latest Big Ten availability report.
Meanwhile, freshman wideout Zay Robinson was listed as “questionable” all week and will be a “game-time decision” against the Huskies.
Robinson also has excelled as the Lions’ primary kickoff and punt returner.
Oct 31, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Zay Robinson (2) runs with the ball but steps out of bounds to avoid being tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Hudauri Hines (4) during the fourth quarter of the game at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Other game-time decisions include starting offensive tackle Malachi Goodman and top backup defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim.
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This means the Lions’ viable receiving options Saturday could be down to Sowell, junior transfer Brett Eskildsen and true freshman Amarion Jackson. Eskildsen, one of the fastest players on the team, is averaging only 30.5 yards per game on his 23 receptions this season.
Rather, the Lions and quarterback Rocco Becht may lean, again, on their tight end room that finally appears fully healthy, particularly standout blocker and possession receiver Gabe Burkle, who has been working his way back from knee surgery last fall.
Otherwise, the Lions appear in better shape, physically, for Washington and the final three games than they have for most of the season.
Penn State’s list of unavailable players for the Washington game includes Howard, linebacker Alex Tatsch, defensive end Max Granville, cornerback Tyler Armstead, defensive tackle Alijah Carnell and kickoff specialist Cristiano Rosa.
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Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football injury issues at wide receiver vs Washington
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