Penn State linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White will miss the rest of 2016 with a knee injury.
Wartman-White was injured in the first quarter of Saturday’s game vs. Temple. According to Blue White Illustrated, his right knee buckled when blocking on a punt return.
“I feel terrible for Nyeem Wartman-White. He will be out for the season, which is obviously significant,” Penn State coach James Franklin said at his Tuesday press conference. “He’s worked really, really hard and has had an unbelievable attitude and from a leadership standpoint as well. Obviously we’re here to support Nyeem every step of the way.”
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The injury Wartman-White suffered Saturday is to the knee he didn’t injure in 2015. He injured his left knee vs. Temple a year ago and missed the rest of last season. He’s a fifth-year senior in 2016 and could be eligible to apply for a sixth season of eligibility in 2017 if he so chose.
Wartman-White took a medical redshirt in 2012 after suffering a knee injury in the second week of the season. Before the previous two seasons were cut short with more knee injuries, he had 75 tackles in 2014.
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He opened the season as a starter at linebacker with Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda. Both Bell and Cabinda could also miss Saturday’s game vs. Michigan. Per PennLive.com, the status of the two is “unknown.” Cabinda hasn’t played since Penn State’s season-opening game vs. Kent State while Bell missed the Temple game and was seen on crutches exiting the team bus, according to the site.
Koa Farmer is set to start in Wartman-White’s place against the Wolverines, who are currently 19-point favorites. Wartman-White will finish the season with 14 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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