Penn State will be without one of its most dangerous playmakers for the foreseeable future.
Receiver Koby Howard is set to miss “an extended period of time” because of an undisclosed injury, coach Matt Campbell said Wednesday during his final media availability before Saturday’s game against Wisconsin. Campbell stopped short of calling it season-ending, but made clear the absence will not be brief.
“After kind of evaluating everything, he will be out,” Campbell said after practice. “He's going to be out for probably an extended period of time. It's not season-ending, but it will be an extended period of time.”
Howard’s status had been uncertain earlier in the week after Campbell said the receiver was “dinged up” on a touchdown play in Penn State’s 55-13 win over Buffalo. Howard had a big day in that game, scoring twice - once on a 20-yard run and again on a 70-yard reception.
Penn State is expected to spell out availability more formally Wednesday night when it releases its first in-season report, and Howard likely will be listed as “out.”
“Obviously disappointing for Koby, but he's handled it really well, and I think the best interests of him going forward [are] making sure we do right by him and certainly our football team,” Campbell said.
The injury comes after Howard had emerged as Penn State’s top weapon and one of the most explosive receivers in the country. The second-year wideout, who played only a limited role last season, leads the Nittany Lions with 12 catches for 344 yards. He also tops the Big Ten and ranks third nationally with an average of 28.67 yards per catch.
His big-play profile has been impossible to miss. Howard has seven receptions of 20 or more yards, tied for third nationally, and is tied for the national lead with five catches of 30 or more yards.
Howard’s path makes the setback even more notable. The Pensacola, Florida, native has already battled major injuries in high school, including a broken tibia suffered at a camp in June 2022 that wiped out most of his sophomore season. He returned that year to post 13 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown, and he also missed part of his senior season at Chaminade-Madonna Prep with another injury.
With Howard sidelined, Penn State will lean on a receivers room Campbell says has started the season well. The group’s top four receivers - Howard, Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen and Zay Robinson - have combined for 34 receptions and five touchdowns.
“I think that room in general has really got off to a great start,” Campbell said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “What Chase Sowell has done has been better than maybe I would even expect. I think we talked about it in preseason camp, the consistency, and I think he's given you dynamic playmaking ability on the outside.”
No. 13 Penn State opens Big Ten play against Wisconsin on Saturday at Beaver Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET on Peacock.
In Other News...
Penn State Staffer Faces Serious Off-Field Legal Trouble
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Penn State has already acknowledged the charges and said Lucas remains with the program while the legal matter continues. For a coaching staff that has spent much of the season trying to keep the focus on the field, the situation adds an unwelcome off-field storyline involving a relatively new face in the defensive room. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Offensive Line Just Got Thinner At The Worst Time
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The longer-term picture still offers something for Penn State to work with, since Tompkins is expected to keep four years of eligibility after this season. For now, though, his absence leaves the staff with one less option up front as the season keeps moving and the line depth gets put under more pressure. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Just Lost A Dangerous Weapon Before Wisconsin
Penn States receiving group took a hit in the Week 3 win over Buffalo, and it comes at an awkward time with Big Ten play beginning. Koby Howard suffered an injury in that game and head coach Matt Campbell confirmed he will be out for an extended period, leaving the Nittany Lions without their most productive pass catcher heading into Wisconsin.
Howard has led Penn State in receiving yards through three games, so his absence forces a real adjustment in how the offense attacks the field. The injury is not season-ending, but missing him for the opener changes the shape of the passing game and puts more pressure on the rest of the receiving corps to fill the void. [Read more 🡒]