Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1547107
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 6 6 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M S aquon Barkley hoped for a bounce- back season in 2026. Instead, he's dealing with injuries again. The former Penn State running back hurt his hamstring during Philadelphia's loss to the Los Angeles Rams in early October and missed the Eagles' loss to Jacksonville in London. His status for a Week 6 matchup with Carolina was uncertain following the team's return to Philly. Barkley also missed time earlier this season and has yet to score a touch- down, with 36 carries for 182 yards. Former Nittany Lion Parker Washing- ton had a better time overseas. He caught touchdown passes of 51 and 27 yards to help lift the Jaguars to a 19-17 victory over the Eagles on Oct. 11. Washington finished with 6 catches for 124 yards and 2 scores, while fellow Penn State alum Brenton Strange added a team-high 7 catches for 68 yards. Both are helping drive Jacksonville's offense during a 4-1 start. Barkley is set to cross paths later this season with another former Nittany Lion. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is now part of the NFC East, having been dealt from Pittsburgh to Dallas. Amid a con- tract dispute and a reported back injury, the Steelers traded him for a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft and a second- round selection in 2028. Porter, who wanted an extension, played 24 snaps in his Dallas debut against Houston in Week 4 without recording a statistic. He was expected to play in the Cowboys' Week 5 loss to Tampa Bay but was a late scratch due to an illness. "He really has a lot of stomach issues," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said of Por- ter's Week 5 absence. "He wanted to go so bad. ... That's disappointing, but we'll have to overcome it." FORMER NITTANY LIONS IN THE NFL As of Oct. 12 Drew Allar (Played at Penn State from 2022-25), QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Allar is the Steelers' fourth-string quarterback and has yet to see game action. Kaytron Allen (2022-25), RB, FA: Allen was cut by the Washington Commanders before Week 5. He carried 12 times for 41 yards dur- ing the first four weeks of his rookie season. Jaquan Brisker (2019-21), S, Pittsburgh Steelers: Brisker has played extensively for his hometown team, recording 16 tackles and an interception, which came in the opener. He had 2 pass breakups against In- dianapolis on Oct. 11. Ji'Ayir Brown (2020-22), S, San Francisco 49ers: In his fourth season in San Francisco, Brown has been a productive member of the secondary. Over his first five games with the 49ers this year, he totaled 35 tackles and 2 pass breakups. Abdul Carter (2022-24), LB, New York Gi- ants: Carter had 2 sacks through five games, halfway to his 2025 total. He also had a forced fumble. Sean Clifford (2017-22), QB, Cincinnati Bengals: Clifford is on Cincinnati's practice squad. Nick Dawkins (2020-25), OL, New York Jets: Dawkins is on the Jets' practice squad. Dani Dennis-Sutton (2022-25), DE, Green Bay Packers: After linebacker Edgerrin Coo- per sustained a season-ending ACL injury in Week 4, the Packers called on Dennis-Sutton to help pressure quarterbacks. In 32 snaps against Chicago in Week 5, he recorded 3 pressures, a sack and 2 tackles in one of his most productive games as a pro. Khalil Dinkins (2021-25), TE, San Francisco 49ers: Dinkins is on San Francisco's practice squad. Jahan Dotson (2018-21), WR, Atlanta Fal- cons: In his first season in Atlanta, Dotson is already on pace to exceed his productivity from either of his past two years in Philadel- phia. Through five games, he had 149 yards on 8 receptions with 1 touchdown. Zane Durant (2022-25), DT, Buffalo Bills: Durant is on injured reserve with a neck in- jury. Arnold Ebiketie (2021), LB, Philadelphia Eagles: Steadily taking on a bigger role with the Eagles this season, Ebiketie saw his most extensive action in a last-second loss to the Jaguars in London on Oct. 11. His 4 quar- terback pressures were a high mark on the season to date. Olumuyiwa Fashanu (2020-23), OL, New York Jets: The former first-round selection is a mainstay on the Jets' offensive line, leading the offense in game reps with 309 over the first five contests of the season. Pat Freiermuth (2018-20), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers: Freiermuth scored twice on 5 catches in Pittsburgh's 34-22 win over In- dianapolis in Week 5, bringing his season touchdown total to 4. Hamstring Injury Keeps Saquon Barkley Out Of Action G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M PSU IN THE PROS Barkley missed the Philadelphia Eagles' 19-17 loss to Jacksonville in London on Oct. 11. The former Penn State running back has 182 yards on 36 carries and has yet to score a touchdown this season. PHOTO COURTESY PHILADELPHIA EAGLES