Penn State football is continuing to wait for defensive end Adisa Isaac and offensive lineman Saleem Wormley to return to full health as spring practice rolls along, but according to coach James Franklin, there’s no urgency to rush them back.
“This time of year we can be a little patient,” Franklin said on Wednesday following practice. “Our trainers and doctors this time of year are gonna be pretty conservative and not rush those guys back. […] they’re still not full go. They’re doing all the drills, they’re doing every aspect, but we’re still limiting the reps.”
Penn State was without both players for the entirety of the 2021-22 season with both expected to be starting pieces to the Nittany Lions’ puzzle on their respective sides of the ball. Isaac suffered an undisclosed lower body injury prior to the start of the season while the 274 Network reported that Wormley would miss the season late in the first month of the year.
Isaac in particular has impressed new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz who spoke highly of Isaac following practice on Wednesday.
“He just has some things you can’t teach, in terms of athleticism, his ability to bend and turn the corner, his length, the way he can get his hands on offensive linemen,” Diaz said.. “We’re excited to see him grow in his role every day. The more he’s around, the more that makes our entire team [better]. He makes our corners better. To me, great players affect other guys that they play with and I think Adisa has got a chance to be that guy.”
The absence of a healthy Wormley only adds to Penn State’s ongoing depth issues along the offensive front. The Nittany Lions will add a few new faces to the line over the summer, but according to Franklin, the lack of depth could very well impact Penn State’s spring game later this April.
Whatever the case might be, both players coming back healthy would be a big boost for Penn State in the trenches. Especially if injured defensive tackle PJ Mustipher can join the list of healthy Nittany Lions.
“I think everybody in this room was really excited about Adisa Isaac and what he was going to do last year. That was a significant loss,” Franklin said. “Having him back this year, we’re approaching this thing slow and conservative to make sure he’s ready to go.”
