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Through two weeks, Penn State has already been tested at perhaps its deepest position.
Redshirt freshman tight end Andrew Rappleyea is out with what coach James Franklin called a “long-term injury” in a session with reporters in State College after Tuesday’s practice.
Rappleyea did not play in Saturday’s win over Bowling Green and was relegated to crutches on the sideline. Though he wasn’t targeted in the passing game in the opener against West Virginia, Rappleyea was elevated to the No. 2 tight end role because of an injury to Khalil Dinkins.
Dinkins suited up vs. Bowling Green but played sparingly, catching the one pass thrown his way.
The Nittany Lions have some time to figure things out as they have this week off before returning against another MAC opponent in Kent State on Sept. 21.
One thing that’s certain is that starter Tyler Warren remains one of the very best tight ends in the country after he broke a school record at the position with 146 receiving yards against the Falcons.
Moving forward, the Lions have Warren and Dinkins as the top options with true freshman Luke Reynolds moving up the depth chart.
Reynolds — rated by at one service as a five-star recruit and the No. 1 tight end prospect in the country in the 2024 signing class — was recognized for having the most touchdowns on the team during training camp. He played in the first two games and picked up a flag for holding.
The Lions also have two other scholarship options in Jerry Cross and Joey Schlaffer for further depth. Cross had his early time on campus dampered by injuries of his own.
”I think we’re in a good spot,” Warren said after Saturday’s win with Rappleyea out. “We have guys that have gotten some game experience now, which is really good for Luke, especially. But just for Luke, being able to get in and get those first few games out of the way will be big for him. But he’s doing a great job, and I’m really excited for him.
“And I know there’s other guys like Joey and Jerry will be ready to go if their number is called. So I feel like we got good depth.”
VANOVER CITED
Franklin would not comment on discipline for senior defensive end Amin Vanover, who was charged with two misdemeanor counts of DUI on Monday, stemming from an alleged incident in August.
“I rarely go into internal punishments with you guys,” Franklin told reporters in State College.
According to a police report, Vanover was pulled over for an expired registration and officers noticed a smell of marijuana coming from the car. The affidavit said that Vanover did not pass field sobriety and impaired driving tests and then tested positive for marijuana after a blood draw.
Vanover was at practice on Tuesday. He has been the Lions’ No. 3 defensive end and a regular in the rotation behind Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton.