Penn State’s Winston out with ‘long-lasting’ injury

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior WriterSep 18, 2024, 07:49 PM ET

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• College football reporter.
• Joined ESPN.com in 2008.
• Graduate of Northwestern University.Penn State’s safety Kevin Winston Jr., who led the group in deals with in 2023, will be sidelined with what coach James Franklin on Wednesday called a” long-lasting”injury.Winston, a 6-foot-2, 208-pound junior, suffered the injury in the first quarter of the No. 10 Nittany Lions’Sept. 7 win over Bowling Green and did not return. A preseason All-America prospect, Winston made Big 10 Defensive Gamer of the Week honors following Penn State’s season-opening win at West Virginia, where he had a career-high 12 deals with and a forced fumble.Franklin did not elaborate on Winston’s injury or give a potential schedule for his return.Editor’s Picks

  2 Associated Winston had 60 deals with, 2 fumble recoveries, an interception and 5 pass separations in 2023,

  his very first season as a starter

  . ESPN NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper, Jordan Reid and Matt Miller all have actually ranked Winston as their No. 2 security prospect for the 2025 NFL draft.Winston had belonged to a three-safety rotation, together with senior Jaylen Reed and junior Zakee Wheatley. Franklin stated that the group will try to get freshman Dejuan Lane increased time throughout Winston’s lack. Freshman Antoine Belgrave-Shorter likewise must have a chance to play more.”That will have a big impact on Lane and the reps that he’s getting and where he’s at,”Franklin stated.”And after that we’re attempting to determine that next guy right now.”After an open week, Penn State returns to the field Saturday against Kent State.