James Franklin and Penn State are getting ready to come out of their bye week, but the head coach did not have many positive things to say on the injury front.

As it relates to starting safety KJ Winston, Franklin revealed it is unlikely he will be back any time soon. Franklin called Winston’s injury from Week 2 as a long-term one, but the full severity and nature of the injury was not disclosed.

Winston was beginning to receive some strong buzz for the 2025 NFL Draft after posting 61 tackles, 3 TFL, 5 pass breakups and an interception a season ago. He opened the season with 12 total tackles (7 solo) against West Virginia with a forced fumble before sustaining his injury against Bowling Green.

Now, it’s a key blow to Penn State’s defense and the secondary. After a surprisingly inconsistent performance against Bowling Green, the Nittany Lions are unlikely to struggle this week against Kent State, but the Big Ten schedule looms right around the corner.