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Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Writer
Penn State’s safety Kevin Winston Jr., who led the team in tackles in 2023, will be sidelined with what coach James Franklin on Wednesday called a “long-term” 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 candidate, Winston earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors following Penn State’s season-opening win at West Virginia, where he had a career-high 12 tackles and a forced fumble.
Franklin did not elaborate on Winston’s injury or give a potential timetable for his return.
Winston had 60 tackles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and five pass breakups in 2023, his first season as a starter. ESPN NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper, Jordan Reid and Matt Miller all have ranked Winston as their No. 2 safety prospect for the 2025 NFL draft.
Winston had been part of a three-safety rotation, alongside senior Jaylen Reed and junior Zakee Wheatley. Franklin said that the team will try to get freshman Dejuan Lane increased time during Winston’s absence. Freshman Antoine Belgrave-Shorter also should have an opportunity to play more.
“That will have a huge impact on Lane and the reps that he’s getting and where he’s at,” Franklin said. “And then we’re trying to figure out that next guy right now.”
After an open week, Penn State returns to the field Saturday against Kent State.