Penn State receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith did not return to action after leaving the Nittany Lions’ 17-7 win over Northwestern on Saturday with an injury and was later seen on the sidelines after the game in a walking boot. According to coach James Franklin, the Nittany Lions will look to get Lambert-Smith back over the next two weeks ahead of a trip to face No. 4 Michigan in Ann Arbor but already have plans if he cannot return in time.
“Obviously you guys who are watching us play know the rotation and [Harrison ‘Trey’ Wallace] would be the next guy. But we got two weeks to get the KeAndre back,” Franklin said after the game on Saturday.
Wallace made just one catch for 12-yards on Saturday but has proven to be capable when called on over the last three weeks making seven catches for 86-yards, a mark good enough for fifth-best on the team in receiving yardage and fourth-best among receivers with tight end Brenton Strange the team’s second-leading receiver. While he may lack the long term experience that Lambert-Smith has, Wallace could prove to be a more steady set of hands at the No. 3 receiver spot than a somewhat volatile Lambert-Smith who has nine catches but the occasional bouts of drop-prone moments.
If Wallace isn’t tabbed for the job in two weeks Penn State could lean on Liam Clifford, the brother of quarterback Sean Clifford, or opt for more extreme route with the eventual burning of freshmen Jaden Dottin or Omari Evans’ redshirts. The lanky speedster Malick Meiga could also offer up his services, although he has seemed more prepared for circumstantial play than every down appearances.
Whoever gets the nod presuming Lambert-Smith can’t return, Penn State does have the advantage of time on its side for once with 13 days between Saturday and a trip to Ann Arbor.
“We have two weeks to help Trey develop and other guys live opportunities as well,” Franklin added. “You know it’s one thing for it to be a weekly competition it’s another thing for it to be a two week competition there’s gonna be a lot more good-on-good periods to be able to evaluate guys and obviously get a head start on Michigan. But yeah based on everything I know sitting right now. He’s the next guy.”
