Last week, one could say that the Nittany Lions got back on track against a Purdue squad they were expected to beat. However, it was with an unusual game plan that saw the offensive script predicated on getting the ground game going. This time around however, against a much stronger Washington defense, they may need more than a run game with still a lot of uncertainty surrounding it. That is why the latest updates on both Chase Sowell and Koby Howard should worry Penn State fans.
Head coach Matt Campbell said that while Chase Sowell is probable to return to the lineup this weekend, Koby Howard is more questionable to return. “I think we’ll, again, have to see where he’s at,” Campbell said of Howard. “It’s the same rhetoric that I guess I’ve said the last
couple of weeks: When he’s ready, we’re going to try to make sure he’s on the field, but we’re going to make sure he’s ready to go.” To many Penn State fans, this can be seen as something more frustrating as many expected Howard to be back sooner rather than later.
Howardwas Penn State's leading receiver when he went down with injury and has taken much longer to get back to full fitness. While it makes sense to not rush him back immediately, fans do want some excitement surrounding the offense. Meanwhile, Chase Sowell has aptly replaced him as a WR1 option that became Rocco Becht's favorite downfield target. With 34 catches and 510 yards, at the very least Sowell was someone that could fill the stat sheet.
Now though, it could be a second straight week of trying to run the football, which may not be as effective as last week against one of the Big Ten's best run defenses. Most importantly, questions will be asked about the future of the position as well as both Chase Sowell and Koby Howard will be draft eligible. The worst case scenario for the blue and white may just be that due to their potentially prolonged absences, they may not be able to find many successors for next year.
All eyes will continue to be on this situation as it develops, but for now, it does not look like anything will get answered soon.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Matt Campbell updates injury status of key Penn State receivers
