James Franklin Offers Update on Injured Penn State RB Nick Singleton

Potentially good news for Penn State fans, Penn State Football head coach James Franklin that he “expects” superstar running back Nick Singleton to be available for the Nittany Lions against USC this week.

Franklin clarified that Singleton was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday last week ahead of Penn State’s game against UCLA, before being a game time decision scratch for the Nittany Lions Saturday.

Franklin mentioned that he and the staff “thought” Singleton would go Saturday even though he acknowledged Singleton was not 100 percent going into the game. This week, however, Franklin “anticipates” Singleton will play against USC as long as there are no setbacks this week.

Penn State could really use Singleton back this week against the Trojans, who rank near the bottom of the Big Ten in run defense (17^th out of 18).

• Shop The Latest Penn State Gear at Fanatics | Buy Penn State Gear on Amazon

USC has given up 158.6 rushing yards per game this season. On the other side of the matchup, Penn State ranks third in the Big Ten, rushing for 217.8 yards per game. Singleton averages 102 rushing yards per game and 18.5 receiving yards per game this season for the Nittany Lions.

Singleton has five touchdowns (three rushing and two receiving) through four games this season for the Nittany Lions. In Singleton’s absence Saturday, Kaytron Allen shouldered the load for Penn State, rushing 21 times for 78 yards.

What happens next for Penn State Football? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Penn State news delivered to your inbox daily!

MORE: Drew Allar Report Card From Penn State Win Over UCLA

A note to our readers; If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may receive a commission

• Author
• Recent Posts

Robert Shields

Penn State Football Reporter at NittanyCentral

Robert Shields covers Penn State Football for Nittany Central. As a Penn State graduate, Robert has covered Penn State football since 2019, but had been a fan of the Nittany Lions for well over a decade. During his undergraduate education, Robert was a manager in the athletic department of a division III school, working in various aspects of athletic management at football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse games.

Latest posts by Robert Shields (see all)

• Penn State Football 2026 Schedule Revealed: Thoughts, Takeaways, Analysis - January 28, 2026
• Penn State Football 2026 Defensive Depth Chart: Way-Too-Early Projected Starters - January 22, 2026
• ‘The Most Monumental Leap’: Two Former Penn State Football Stars Headline the NFL’s 2025 All-Breakout Team - January 17, 2026

About the Author

Robert Shields

Author

Robert Shields covers Penn State Football for Nittany Central. As a Penn State graduate, Robert has covered Penn State football since 2019, but had been a fan of the Nittany Lions for well over a decade. During his undergraduate education, Robert was a manager in the athletic department of a division III school, working in various aspects of athletic management at football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse games.

View All Posts