Penn State’s defensive line could be in store for a major boost ahead of its White Out affair with Washington on Saturday. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, who started in the Nittany Lions’ first seven games of the year and was limited to just five snaps against Ohio State, was a full participant at Wednesday’s practice viewing session.
James Franklin appears confident that Dennis-Sutton, who has two sacks and four tackles for loss this season, could be full-go this weekend. Dennis-Sutton was injured in the first half of Penn State’s 28-13 win at Wisconsin on Oct. 26, played one uncomfortable snap in the third quarter and exited. He was absent during last week’s practice viewing window.
“He felt a lot better this Sunday than he did the previous Sunday,” Franklin said. “He was able to play a little bit last week, so having him back would be big.”
Dennis-Sutton isn’t the only notable defensive player who was active on Wednesday. For the first time this season, linebacker Keon Wylie was an active participant in the practice period open to reporters. The potential return of Wylie, who tallied three sacks and 17 tackles season, could be a massive gain for a linebacker corps thin on depth.
Wylie, if healthy, would likely fit into a rotation of backups that includes Tyler Elsdon, DaKaari Nelson and Ta’Mere Robinson. Tony Rojas, Kobe King and Dominic DeLuca will likely remain the team’s three starting linebackers, whether Wylie returns or not.
So when exactly should fans expect him to see the field?
“Whenever he feels like he’s ready to go, and the trainers and doctors feel like he’s ready to go,” Franklin said. “But he is getting closer. … He’s a guy that we were really excited about coming into the season before the injury. So having him back would be helpful on defense and on special teams.”
On offense, punt returner and wide receiver Kaden Saunders was an active participant for the first time in a month. He had dealt with injuries throughout the preseason, limiting his availability to just special teams and was seen on the sideline in a walking boot against UCLA on Oct. 5.
Saunders, who caught six receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown last season, has yet to take a snap at wide receiver in 2024, a year that saw potential for him to earn a starting role.
“He’s just an experienced guy as a receiver and as a punt returner,” Franklin said. “He’s done some pretty good things, gives us another guy to rotate in and consider. His injury’s kind of dragged on for a while. That’ll be really up to him and the trainers and doctors.”
Prior to his injury, Saunders served as Penn State’s primary punt returner for the first four games of the year. He has since been replaced by cornerback Zion Tracy, who has found recent success and could continue to occupy the position if and when Saunders returns.
Franklin said he’s seen a major boost in Tracy’s “confidence” over the last couple of weeks. That would make sense, especially considering Tracy’s first-quarter pick-six against the Buckeyes.
“You’ve seen it on defense. I think it’s also translated to him as a punt returner,” Franklin said. “I saw him more confident on Saturday. He’s practicing really well right now. Always been a super-athletic guy, a guy that we considered, when we recruited him, playing wideout. He’s got those types of ball skills. I think you’ll continue to see him trending in the right direction, just practicing and playing at a really high level right now, with a ton of confidence.”
