Penn State’s receiving room took another hit at Michigan Stadium when Chase Sowell, the Nittany Lions’ go-to option at wideout, left the game with an apparent ankle injury.
Sowell had already been carrying a heavy load with Koby Howard sidelined since Week 3. The Iowa State transfer came into the game as Penn State’s de facto WR1, and he was quickly back in that role against Michigan, where the Nittany Lions opened with a 3-0 lead. By halftime, Sowell had four catches for 34 yards, but his afternoon took a turn 10 seconds into the second quarter, when he went down after his fourth grab and needed help to get to the sideline after trainers checked on him.
The injury appeared to come when Sowell’s right ankle was rolled up on by a defensive back after the catch. CBS reported that Sowell later entered the blue injury tent on the sideline.
Sowell had already been dealing with an issue from Penn State’s Week 6 loss to USC, though he returned to that game and was listed as probable on the team’s final availability report for Week 7. After coming out of the tent against Michigan, he was still moving around, but CBS play-by-play voice Brad Nessler said he was "limping around."
The timing is rough for Penn State. With Howard still out, the Nittany Lions can’t absorb many more blows at receiver. If Sowell can’t return, Brett Eskildsen would move up in the pecking order, and Zay Robinson would likely be asked to do more than work primarily from the slot.
Before the injury, Sowell entered the week as Penn State’s leader in receptions with 23 and receiving yards with 359. Tight end Benjamin Brahmer leads the team with three receiving touchdowns. Penn State’s pass catchers have struggled to separate against Big Ten competition, and now Becht may be asked to navigate the rest of the game without his top target against what the source described as the best secondary the Nittany Lions will face in 2026.
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Penn State Gets Encouraging Sign Before Tough Michigan Trip
Penn State heads into Ann Arbor with a familiar challenge in front of it, and the latest injury report at least gives both sides a clearer picture of who will be available for a game with real weight. The Nittany Lions are still dealing with several players sidelined, including some season-ending injuries, as they prepare for a matchup at the Big House, where their recent track record has not been kind.
Michigans report adds another layer of uncertainty, with two defensive ends listed as questionable ahead of kickoff. For Penn State, any edge matters on a trip that has not gone well lately, and the availability of a few key players could help shape whether this becomes another tough afternoon in Ann Arbor or a chance to finally change the feel of the series. [Read more 🡒]