Penn State’s linebacker room could get a needed boost Saturday in Ann Arbor.
After the second Big Ten availability report for the Penn State-Michigan matchup was released Wednesday night, Cam Smith was listed as probable, a development that stands out with Alex Tatsch already ruled out for the season. Tatsch, a top reserve, was announced earlier this week as done for the year, and Penn State also listed a long group of players out for the game.
The Lions’ unavailable list includes WR Koby Howard, DE LaVar Arrington II, CB Joshua Johnson, DE Max Granville, LB Alex Tatsch, CB Christian Askew, C. Tyler Armstead, DE Mason Robinson, DE Dayshaun Burnett, OL Will Tompkins, TE Cooper Alexander, DT Liam Andrews and K Cristiano Rosa. Granville is out for the season, while Howard could be back in a couple of weeks.
Penn State also had four players listed as probable: S Josiah Zayas, WR Chase Sowell, DE Yvan Kemajou, DT Armstrong Nnodim and Smith. Sowell appeared on the report for the first time after getting hurt against USC. Carson Hansen, who was listed as probable on the first report, was not on the second.
Michigan’s biggest injury question centers on two defensive linemen. DE John Henry Daley and DE Dom Nichols are both listed as questionable for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. kickoff at the Big House.
Daley, Michigan’s best defensive player, was a first-team All-American at Utah in 2025. He has 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a quarterback hurry this season. Nichols has been just as disruptive in his own way, piling up five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries.
The matchup itself has lost some of its early-season shine, with Penn State and Michigan entering at a combined 0-5 in Big Ten play. Still, the game will be played in a place where Penn State has had limited success, winning only four times in Ann Arbor since 1993.
In Other News...
Penn State Could Be Getting A Familiar Name Back For A Key Need
Penn State may be getting a familiar name back at just the right time, with LaVar Arrington II expected to return to the football team after the bye week. The son of College Football Hall of Famer LaVar Arrington spent last season contributing on special teams, and his return adds another layer to a defense looking for help in the right spots.
Coach Matt Campbell said the staff still has to decide whether Arrington II will line up at linebacker or defensive end, a choice that will shape how quickly he can make an impact. After missing time this season because of injury, his comeback gives Penn State another option to consider as it tries to maximize his value on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Faces A New Injury Concern Before Michigan Showdown
Penn State got a little clarity, and a little more uncertainty, when the Big Ten-mandated availability reports came out ahead of Saturdays trip to Ann Arbor. Two starters were upgraded and removed from the report, which is the kind of update every staff wants to see this time of year, but a starting wide receiver was added as questionable, leaving the Nittany Lions with one more situation to monitor before they face Michigan.
Michigans report stayed unchanged, with players still spread across probable, questionable, doubtful and out designations. Penn State will have two more availability reports before kickoff, so the picture could shift again before the Nittany Lions take the field in one of the biggest games on their schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Offense May Be Forced Into A Shakeup At Worst Time
Penn States offense is still searching for a cleaner rhythm after a stretch in which the scoring has dried up at the wrong time. Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser pointed to a few of the issues that have piled up, from the teams production in three Big Ten losses to the absence of wide receiver Koby Howard because of injury, all while the unit has continued to fight through red zone inconsistency.
Mouser also left open the possibility of changes up front, and freshman receiver Amarion Jackson could see more opportunities as the staff looks for a spark. The Nittany Lions have turned 14 of 26 trips inside the 20 into touchdowns, a mark that reflects both the promise and the frustration of an offense trying to find answers before the schedule gets any tighter. [Read more 🡒]