Penn State Football, James Franklin

2 Offensive Playmakers Return to Full Practice For Penn State Football

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In the first media viewing window since Penn State Football defeated West Virginia Saturday, the Nittany Lions saw two offensive playmakers return to practice, both appearing to be full participants.

Tight end Khalil Dinkins and wide receiver Kaden Saunders were both seen going through drills at practice Wednesday night during the media viewing window.

Penn State Football Contributors On Path Back from Bumps and Bruises

Penn State Football, Khalil Dinkins
Penn State tight end Khalil Dinkins (16) catches a 9-yard pass in the end zone to score a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA football game against Indiana at Beaver Stadium Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions won, 33-24.

Dinkins was ruled out of Saturday’s matchup against West Virginia and had not been seen in weeks during media viewing windows at Penn State practice.

Kaden Saunders was not listed on the injury report for Saturday’s matchup, but Penn State head coach James Franklin confirmed that the plan for Saunders only included him catching punts, as he was dealing with “bumps and bruises” leading up to the game.

Saunders did not see action at wide receiver but was on the field and fair caught punts during the game Saturday.

What Khalil Dinkins, Kaden Saunders Returns Would Mean

Penn State Football, Kaden Saunders
Wide Receiver Kaden Saunders could be a breakout star to watch for Penn State Football in 2024. (Image via USA TODAY Sports)

When he is cleared to return to game action, Dinkins is expected to compete for the TE2 role behind Tyler Warren with freshman Luke Reynolds and redshirt freshman Andrew Rappleyea.

Other than Tyler Warren, Dinkins is the only tight end on Penn State’s roster entering 2024 with any career statistics, with 9 career receptions for 110 yards and three touchdowns in 20 career games for the Nittany Lions.

Saunders’ return may be even more important for Penn State’s offense, however, as Saunders is expected to compete for a starting position in the slot at wide receiver. Saunders has 13 career receptions for 88 yards and started at punt returner for the first half of the season in 2023 for Penn State as well.

With a bye week coming up after the Bowling Green game Saturday, it remains to be seen whether either player will return to action this weekend against a lower-tier opponent.

Either way, their return to practice is an important step at getting both offensive contributors back out on the field for the Nittany Lions in game action.

MORE: What Penn State Needs to Fix Before Playing Bowling Green

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Robert Shields
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